Angered at Party Leadership: "Why Are They Just Watching?"
Controversy Over Statement: "Will Go on Hunger Strike if Impeachment Is Dismissed"
Hong Jun-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, criticized Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party who expressed support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, calling him "a poisonous toad, like a rat on a sinking ship." He also addressed the party leadership, saying, "They should not expel Kim to give him fame but rather make him leave the party on his own feet."
On the night of the 14th, Mayor Hong expressed his anger on his social media, saying, "Why are they just standing by and watching someone trample on the party line like that?"
Kim defied the party line by participating in the vote on the resolution to lift the emergency martial law on December 3rd and voted in favor of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. He was also the sole supporter during the Myung Taekyun special prosecutor law. He gained a reputation as a 'first-term principled member.'
Mayor Hong described Kim as "like a poisonous toad flicking its tongue in front of a snake, begging to be eaten," adding, "He cannot leave on his own, so he is asking to be expelled." He continued, "Instead of granting Kim Sang-wook’s wishes, the party should suspend his membership for three years to make him leave voluntarily." He raised his voice, saying, "What difference does it make whether there are 107 or 108 members? If the party discipline is not maintained, only rats on a sinking ship will run wild in times of crisis."
Calls for disciplinary action erupted after Kim said in a radio interview on the 12th, "If by any chance the impeachment is dismissed, I will go on a hunger strike in the National Assembly until I die. That is how resolute I am."
On the following day, lawmaker Kang Min-guk wrote in the People Power Party’s group chat for party members, "Kim Sang-wook! Please clearly state your position on this statement that aligns with Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions." He also criticized the party leadership, saying, "Please also state the party leadership’s position," demanding disciplinary measures.
When this became known, the leadership did not deny that disciplinary procedures would be carried out. On the 14th, floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said, "(Disciplinary action against Kim) is a party matter, so I am not in a position to comment," but added, "I believe the party’s Ethics Committee will independently decide to initiate disciplinary action."
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