"Devastated and fully responsible"
"Will put everything aside and cooperate with the investigation"
Democratic Party Jeju Provincial Committee holds ethics meeting and expels member
Kang Kyung-heum, a Jeju Provincial Council member who caused controversy due to drunk driving and is now under investigation for prostitution charges after five months, is voluntarily stepping down from his council position. He made a flashy debut as the 'youngest provincial council member,' but he will leave in disgrace without even holding the position for 400 days.
On the 27th, Kang issued a statement saying, "I have not lived up to the expectations and trust of the people of Jeju. I feel deeply remorseful, and this is entirely my fault," expressing his intention to resign from the council.
He emphasized, "I will let go of everything and sincerely face any investigations against me as an ordinary citizen of Jeju, not as a public official, and I will do my best to reveal the truth about this matter."
He added, "I apologize for having to say this, but from now on, as a citizen of Jeju, I will seek a role I can fulfill and live earnestly and fiercely. Once again, I bow my head and sincerely apologize."
Born in 1993, Kang was elected on June 1 last year in the 8th nationwide local elections, earning the title of the youngest provincial council member in the province. Recently, he was sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic (prostitution).
Earlier, the police cracked down on a certain entertainment establishment in Jeju involved in arranging prostitution in April and, during additional investigations, confirmed several bank transfers to the establishment at the end of last year, leading to Kang's booking.
The owner of this entertainment establishment and others were caught by the police for detaining four foreign women of Southeast Asian nationality from November last year to March this year, forcing them to entertain customers and engage in prostitution, and were brought to trial.
Kang's side admits to visiting the entertainment establishment but denies the charges, claiming he went there just to drink with acquaintances.
This is not the first time Kang has been involved in a scandal.
Eight months into his legislative activities, on February 25, he was caught driving under the influence in Yeongpyeong-dong, Jeju City, and received a summary order fine of 8 million won. At the time of detection, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.183%, well above the license cancellation level (0.08%).
Due to this incident, Kang became the first in Jeju Provincial Council history to be referred to the Ethics Committee, receiving a 30-day suspension and a disciplinary apology at a public meeting.
Meanwhile, according to Article 81 (Resignation) of the Rules of Procedure of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council, a council member wishing to resign must submit a resignation letter signed and sealed by themselves to the council chairman.
Once the chairman approves the resignation letter submitted by the council member, it immediately takes effect, resulting in the loss of the council seat. Upon Kang's submission of his resignation letter, all disciplinary procedures currently underway by the Jeju Provincial Council Ethics Committee will be halted.
If Kang resigns, a by-election is expected to be held in the Ara-dong electoral district during the 22nd National Assembly election on April 10 next year.
Following the allegations of prostitution after the drunk driving incident, the Jeju Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea held an ethics tribunal and expelled Kang from the party.
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