"Leave the Party by the 16th"... What Awaits Ryu Ho-jeong After Receiving the Final Ultimatum

Proportional Representatives Lose Seats if They Leave Party
Ryu Hojung: "Will Persuade Party Members Until January General Vote"

The Justice Party issued an ultimatum to former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop and lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong, who is launching the new party 'Saeroun Seontaek' (New Choice), demanding that they resign from the party by the 16th. Remaining in the party after declaring the formation of a new party is clearly considered an act of disloyalty.

On the 14th, Kim Jun-woo, the emergency committee chairman of the Justice Party, stated in his opening remarks at the party's emergency committee meeting, "We have adopted an official resolution urging lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong to resign from the party and relinquish her parliamentary seat," adding, "If she does not submit her resignation by the 16th, disciplinary procedures will inevitably be initiated."

Chairman Kim said, "It is difficult to see it as appropriate for a sitting member of the National Assembly to not only express dissent regarding the party's line but also declare the establishment of a new party and actively participate in its formation while retaining party membership and a proportional representation seat."

The Justice Party plans to refer Ryu to the disciplinary committee on the 17th if she does not resign from her parliamentary seat and leave the party by the 16th.

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, is holding a press conference on youth-related policy announcements at the National Assembly on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

What is lawmaker Ryu waiting for despite the party's strong pressure to leave? Although Ryu declared the joint founding of 'Saeroun Seontaek' with former lawmaker Geum on the 8th, she stated that she would maintain her Justice Party membership.

Some in the political sphere analyze that Ryu, a proportional representative lawmaker, is waiting not to resign but to be expelled from the party in order to retain her parliamentary seat. According to Article 192 of the Public Official Election Act, a proportional representative lawmaker loses their seat if they leave their party or hold membership in more than one party. However, if expelled or dismissed by the party, they can retain their seat.

If Ryu voluntarily leaves the Justice Party, the party can transfer her proportional representation seat to someone else (Article 200 of the Public Official Election Act).

Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi criticized, "She is making too many sophistries to maintain her seat and is engaging in politics in a very inappropriate manner." In an interview with KBS Gwangju Radio 1's 'Start! Mudeung Morning' on the 14th, Kang said, "A proportional representative lawmaker represents that party. However, it is incomprehensible that she remains a member of that party while officially declaring the formation of another party."

However, Ryu maintains her position that "there will be no voluntary resignation." Her logic is to stay in the party until the party member referendum scheduled for mid-January next year and persuade party members.

On the 13th, during SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' responding to listener questions such as "Is it because of the salary?" and "If you were a district lawmaker, wouldn't you have resigned?" she replied, "No, that's not the case. It's not because of the salary," adding, "I need to persuade all the party members, persuade more."

She further emphasized, "There will be a party member referendum on the election alliance policy in mid-January next year. Until then, I believe we must continue persuading party members," and added, "In factional struggles, the minority side is often labeled as disloyal, but now is a time to consider the party's future, so no one should hesitate, and anyone should be able to speak freely."