Amid Speculation Over Buyeo County Governor Bid,
Kim Ki-seo Leaves Party Ahead of Disciplinary Action
Democratic Party Warns: "May Constitute Forgery of Private Documents and Obstruction of Business"
Ki Seo Kim, Chungnam Provincial Councilor
Kim Ki-seo, a Chungnam Provincial Councilor from the Democratic Party of Korea, was recently confirmed to have left the party.
Criticism has emerged that Assemblyman Kim's departure was a "tactical resignation" intended to avoid disciplinary action, as he was facing an upcoming party ethics review over allegations of "recruiting fake party members."
According to an investigation by Asia Economy on the 20th, the Chungnam Provincial Council recently received notification from Assemblyman Kim regarding his withdrawal from the Democratic Party. As a result, the council plans to reassign the councilors' seating arrangements.
Assemblyman Kim, who is being mentioned as a potential candidate for Buyeo County Governor in the June 3 local elections next year, is suspected of recruiting so-called "fake party members" ahead of the party's internal primary on August 2 to create a favorable environment for himself.
Through mobile messages encouraging party membership registration, Assemblyman Kim stated, "Even those who have moved their address elsewhere can register if they enter their former rural address," and added, "Please use Buyeo as the address and list Ki-seo Kim as the recommender."
The Chungnam Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party had already announced in June that "falsifying addresses may constitute forgery of private documents and obstruction of business," and warned that, if illegal activity was confirmed, the individual would be disqualified from nomination and referred to the party's Ethics Tribunal.
Hong Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Chungnam Provincial Council, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "On the 19th, I received a report from the council secretariat regarding Assemblyman Kim Ki-seo's resignation," and added, "We plan to adjust the councilors' seating arrangements."
Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Ho-seon stated, "I am not aware of the exact details regarding Assemblyman Kim's resignation," and explained, "Depending on the disciplinary process, he may be expelled or have his resignation processed. It is not easy for someone who has left the party to be reinstated."
Meanwhile, multiple attempts were made to contact Assemblyman Kim to confirm his position regarding his resignation, but he could not be reached.
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