Ahead of Ethics Committee Vote, Kim Nam-guk Announces 'No Re-election Bid'... "To Fulfill Responsibilities Until End of Term..."

SNS Through "No Candidacy Regardless of Ethics Committee Review Results"
Ethics Committee Holds Subcommittee Meeting That Morning and Conducts Anonymous Vote

Independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk announced on the 22nd that he will not run in next year's general election ahead of the disciplinary vote by the National Assembly Ethics Review Committee.

On the same day, Kim stated through social media (SNS), "I bow my head once again to apologize for causing concern due to my issue," and added, "My disciplinary case is currently under review by the National Assembly Ethics Committee. Regardless of the review outcome, I will not run in the 22nd general election."

Independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, who left the Democratic Party of Korea amid controversy over virtual asset (cryptocurrency) trading, is leaving his National Assembly office on the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Earlier, Kim was reported to the Ethics Special Committee over suspicions of cryptocurrency trading during his tenure as a member of the National Assembly. He was criticized for trading coins during his time on the standing committee and for the excessive amount of transactions. In this regard, the Ethics Review Advisory Committee recommended the highest level of disciplinary action, expulsion from the National Assembly, to the Ethics Special Committee.

Kim said, "I wanted to repay the voters of Ansan Danwon, who gave a chance to a young politician who was merely a political newcomer, with results, but I feel heavy-hearted for causing disappointment," and added, "My sincere wish is only to fulfill my responsibilities until the end of my term for the citizens of Ansan who trusted and supported me." This declaration of not running can be seen as an appeal to take responsibility and avoid expulsion from the Assembly.

The Ethics Special Committee subcommittee plans to hold a meeting on the morning of the same day to conduct a secret ballot vote on Kim's disciplinary case. The disciplinary level will be decided if at least four out of six subcommittee members approve. Following this, the full committee will vote, and the disciplinary action will be finalized at the plenary session of the National Assembly.