Asan City Council to Hold Ethics Committee on 6th to Decide Disciplinary Action for Chairman Hong Seongpyo

Yoon Wonjun, Ethics Committee Chairman:
"A separate extraordinary session will be held after passing through the Operations Committee"

Chairman Hong is delivering a congratulatory speech in a drunken state at his alma mater's graduation ceremony on January 10th. (Provided by Asan City Council)

The Asan City Council in South Chungcheong Province is expected to decide on the level of disciplinary action against Chairman Hong Seongpyo on the 6th.

Yoon Wonjun, chairman of the Ethics Committee, said in a phone call with Asia Economy on the 4th, "We plan to hold an Ethics Committee meeting at 2 p.m. on the 6th to determine the level of disciplinary action," adding, "Afterward, we will submit a request for an assembly to the Operations Committee, hold a separate extraordinary session, and are expected to finalize the disciplinary measure at the plenary session."

Regarding the disciplinary proposal for Kim Heeyoung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, he added, "We plan to handle Chairman Hong's case first and then proceed separately."

Previously, Chairman Hong caused a disturbance by attending his alma mater's graduation ceremony in a drunken state on January 10 and arguing with parents.

In relation to this, Chairman Hong submitted his resignation to the council's secretariat on the 14th of the same month, stating, "I take full responsibility."

The city council planned to process Hong's resignation and elect a new chairman at an extraordinary session on the 23rd, but the plan fell through as the resignation proposal was rejected with 7 votes in favor and 9 against.

On the same day, Chairman Hong resubmitted his resignation and announced his withdrawal from the Democratic Party through a statement. The Democratic Party expelled him according to party rules as he left during disciplinary proceedings.

However, he abruptly withdrew his resignation on the 3rd of last month.

Meanwhile, after the resignation proposal for Chairman Hong was rejected on the 23rd of last month, Floor Leader Kim read a statement criticizing People Power Party council members during a procedural speech.

In response, Kim Euna and seven other People Power Party council members referred Floor Leader Kim to the Ethics Committee at the extraordinary session held on the 12th of last month.