Disciplinary Measures Increase for Attendance Refusal... Is 'Jamheng' Kim Nam-guk's Return Imminent?

Ethics Committee "Plans to Hear Kim Nam-guk's Explanation at Full Meeting"
People Power Party "Kim Nam-guk's Taxpayer Fund Misuse and Absence Show"

The National Assembly Ethics Special Committee, which has initiated disciplinary procedures against independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk amid controversy over virtual asset investments, is urging Kim to attend. Failure to comply with the attendance request could lead to harsher disciplinary measures. Some in the political sphere speculate that Kim's return is imminent.

On the morning of the 30th, the Ethics Special Committee held a full meeting and submitted a disciplinary agenda regarding Kim. Previously, the People Power Party submitted a disciplinary proposal on the 8th, and the Democratic Party submitted one on the 17th.

According to the National Assembly Act, the Ethics Special Committee must refer the disciplinary proposal to the Ethics Review Advisory Committee and hear the advisory committee members' opinions before the disciplinary review. After the advisory committee completes its review, the disciplinary proposal goes through the Ethics Special Committee’s disciplinary subcommittee and full meeting for approval before the final resolution is made at the plenary session.

The Ethics Special Committee is urging Kim to attend and explain his position in person. After the meeting, Ethics Special Committee Chairperson Byun Jae-il told reporters, "We plan to have him attend the full committee meeting to hear his explanation."

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

However, Kim will not immediately be given the opportunity to explain his position before the Ethics Special Committee. As Chairperson Byun mentioned, Kim’s attendance will occur after the advisory committee submits its opinion, during the full committee meeting, which could be delayed up to two months depending on the advisory committee’s review period. Considering the urgency of the matter, the Ethics Special Committee agreed to request the advisory committee to submit its opinion by the 29th of next month. However, under the National Assembly Act, the advisory committee’s activity period can extend up to 60 days. The Ethics Special Committee has requested the advisory committee to provide their opinion as soon as possible, given the high public interest in this case.

Since attendance at the advisory committee is not mandatory, there is a possibility that Kim may refuse the attendance request. Chairperson Byun stated, "Attendance is not obligatory, but if the advisory committee requests it for him to explain his position, I expect he will probably comply. If he does not attend, the disciplinary severity will increase."

Kim is currently on a leave of absence and has been keeping a low profile. Since attending the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the 14th and leaving the Democratic Party, he has not appeared publicly up to this day.

In response, the People Power Party has criticized this as a "low-profile show" and launched an offensive. Chief Spokesperson Yoo Sang-beom released a statement on the 29th, saying, "Kim was so obsessed with coins that he shouted at the Minister of Justice and traded coins worth tens of millions of won even during standing committee meetings. Even at this moment, Kim is collecting taxpayers’ money regularly while putting on a 'low-profile show.'"

Jang Ye-chan, the People Power Party’s youth supreme council member, said on the 30th on BBS Radio’s "Jeon Young-shin’s Morning Journal," "This current low-profile behavior and stalling are happening thoroughly under the protection and tacit approval of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. It is a very cowardly plan to avoid public attention for a while, wait for the controversy to subside, and then divert attention when another political issue arises."

There are also speculations in political circles that Kim’s return is near. On the 26th, Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok said on CBS Radio’s "Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show," "I don’t think the time for reflection and remorse will be very long. He will probably return soon. It’s not for his political (honor) restoration, but he has a duty to tell the public the truth about what is not true."