Democratic Party's Kwon In-sook, Kim Eui-gyeom, Yang Yi-won-young, and 3 Others Join Proportional Satellite Party

Resolution to Expel Kang Min-jung, Kim Kyung-man, Lee Dong-joo, etc.
Joining 'Deobureo Minju Yeonhap' Soon
Adoption of 'Lee Jong-seop Special Prosecutor Act' as Party Policy

The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 17th to expel 6 proportional representation members of parliament who are to be sent to the satellite party for proportional representation in the general election, the Deobureo Minju Yeonhap.

On the same day, the Democratic Party held a party meeting at the National Assembly and announced that it had passed a resolution to expel six members: Kang Min-jung, Kwon In-sook, Kim Kyung-man, Kim Ui-gyeom, Yang Yi-won-young, and Lee Dong-joo.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

All of these members are proportional representation MPs who either decided not to run or were not nominated, and they are expected to join Deobureo Minju Yeonhap soon. This kind of 'proxy arrangement' is intended to secure a higher ballot number in the general election, which is determined by the number of seats. According to the Public Official Election Act, if a proportional representation member of the National Assembly leaves their affiliated party, they automatically lose their seat. Therefore, to change party affiliation while retaining their seat, the expulsion procedure from the current party is necessary. Previously, the People Power Party also expelled 8 proportional representation members.

Im Oh-kyung, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said regarding the possibility of additional expulsions, "The possibility is not closed."

Meanwhile, Im also announced at the party meeting that the "'Lee Jong-seop Special Prosecutor Act' was adopted as the party's official stance." The special prosecutor bill focuses on clarifying the entire process of Ambassador Lee Jong-seop's departure, who has been under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials over allegations of external pressure on the investigation of the Marine Corps soldier Chae Sang-byeong case, related to Ambassador Lee's appointment to Australia.