Due to Office Allocation Issues... People Power Party Anyang City Council Member Causes Disturbance at Drinking Gathering with Fellow Council Members

Anyang City Council Member Loses Temper During Drinking Party with Colleagues
Other Council Members Hold General Meeting to Discuss Punishment
People Power Party Ethics Committee Referral... Recommends Resignation

An Anyang City council member caused a disturbance while intoxicated during a dinner with fellow council members. In response, the People Power Party council members of Anyang City decided to refer the disruptive council member to the Ethics Special Committee and recommended voluntary withdrawal from the party.

The restaurant where Anyang city council members were having dinner. Councilman A caused a disturbance, leaving several plates broken on the floor, and food scattered messily on the table.
[Photo by Joongboo Ilbo reader]

'Joongbu Ilbo' reported, "At 11 a.m. on the 3rd, eight People Power Party-affiliated Anyang City council members held a council meeting to discuss the punishment of Councilor A, who caused injury to fellow council members during a drinking party."

Among the eight council members attending the meeting, six proposed referring the matter to the Anyang City Council’s own Ethics Special Committee, and by majority vote, punishment and disciplinary measures were decided to be determined through the council’s special committee. The remaining two argued that the matter should be reviewed at the Gyeonggi Province Party level.

According to the Joongbu Ilbo report, Councilor A had dinner with fellow council members around 6 p.m. on the 1st at a restaurant in Pyeongchon-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang. Afterwards, an argument arose over office changes, and an intoxicated Councilor A continued the dispute, causing a disturbance by overturning a table. At that time, female council member B, who was present, tried to calm A by slapping his cheek. Enraged by the slap, Councilor A verbally abused B and struck her neck, knocking her down and escalating the commotion. Additionally, while trying to stop A’s rampage, fellow council member D was injured on the head by shards of tableware thrown by A. The disturbance was eventually settled by the police who arrived on the scene.

Witness C said, "Despite having visited this place many times over the years, I have never seen such a large disturbance." He added, "I was deeply shocked to see council members, who should be role models for citizens, causing a disturbance while intoxicated." He continued, "There were many customers at the restaurant and nearby shops that day, and although there was a loud noise and items were broken, everyone was very startled and confused." He also claimed, "Even the day after sobering up, they did not visit the affected restaurant and nearby areas to apologize, which would have been the proper thing to do."

The restaurant owner expressed his feelings in a media interview. He said, "Other council members who tried to manage the situation sent about 200,000 won to the account as compensation in addition to the meal cost." However, he added, "Several pieces of tableware were broken, and about two chairs were damaged, indicating a significant disturbance. The startled staff even said they might not be able to come to work the next day. There was considerable tangible and intangible damage, including discomfort caused to customers."

Councilor A explained, "I was very drunk and do not remember clearly, but I tried to leave because I was upset by the argument, and in the process of pushing away fellow council members who tried to stop me, the table was overturned and injuries occurred." He also stated, "I apologize and admit to causing a disturbance while intoxicated, but some council members’ words and actions also bear responsibility for provoking the argument." Currently, Councilor A is awaiting the party’s disciplinary decision.