Disciplinary Decision: Two-Year Suspension of Party Membership
On June 18, the Daegu branch of the Democratic Party issued a statement urging, "Yook Jungmi, a proportional representative of the Daegu City Council from the Democratic Party who supported Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, in the last presidential election, should leave the party."
The Daegu branch stated, "Yook Jungmi entered the 9th Daegu City Council as a proportional representative nominated by the Democratic Party. Councilor Yook damaged the intent of the party nomination and the valuable opportunity given by the support of party members through her personal ambition and inconsistent political behavior."
The Daegu branch continued, "On June 2 and 3, Councilor Yook posted on her social media, publicly criticizing the Democratic Party's presidential candidate right before the election and declaring her support for a candidate from another party. This is a political betrayal of the party and voters, as well as an act that deceives the duty of responsible politics required of a public party," adding, "What is even more shocking is that she also participated in the presidential campaign committee. After spending almost the entire campaign period working for the Democratic Party's election committee, she suddenly, just days before the election, criticized then-candidate Lee Jaemyung and declared support for Lee Junseok. This raises doubts about whether she possesses a normal sense of judgment."
The Supreme Council of the Democratic Party, at its 113th meeting on June 5, decided on an emergency disciplinary measure to suspend her party membership for two years. The reason for the disciplinary action is clear. It is because, as a proportional representative, she denied the party's identity and committed a serious violation against party order and public responsibility.
The Daegu branch also stated, "Without any reflection or responsible action, Councilor Yook continues to justify her sophistry by blaming others and the party. This is a self-contradictory act that denies even the public position she gained by relying on the name and trust of the Democratic Party," adding, "While denying the basic principles of party politics, her attitude of wanting to keep her position is a clear case of moral bankruptcy and political deception. By maintaining her seat as a proportional representative and persisting in blaming others and making excuses, she has abandoned even the minimum political conscience and sense of responsibility."
The Daegu branch further added, "The Democratic Party is a public party. Anyone who gains an elected position as a member of a public party must keep their promise to serve the party and voters. Councilor Yook, who has broken her promises and trust, should now take full responsibility and voluntarily leave the party, so that she may follow the political path she desires."
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