People Power Party Ethics Chairman Resigns: "Responded That I Would Step Down After Being Contacted"

"I Did Not Say I Would Step Down First"

Ye Sangwon, Chairman of the People Power Party Central Ethics Committee, has announced his intention to step down. He stated that he is not resigning voluntarily, but rather received a message from the party instructing him to leave his position.

According to Yonhap News on November 17, Ye said in a phone call with the media, "I did not say I would quit on my own. I received the message and told them I would wrap things up by the end of this month."

Chairman Ye was appointed in January this year under the leadership of Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kwon Youngse. According to his original one-year term, he was supposed to serve until January 8 of next year.

Ye Sangwon, Chairman of the People Power Party Central Ethics Committee, is entering the central party office on August 14, 2025, to preside over the Central Ethics Committee meeting to discuss disciplinary action against Jeon Hangil. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Ye stated, "The party leadership never publicly told me to quit," but added, "Didn't the ethics committee's decision regarding former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk turn out differently from what (Jang Donghyuk) the party leader expected? It's because we have different views."

He continued, "It's a tough position, and I see no reason to hold on to it," adding, "Although there was a lot of criticism over the ethics committee's decision regarding Jeon Hangil, the committee acted according to its convictions."

He further emphasized, "It is natural for different opinions to arise in a democratic party, and if such differences did not exist, it could not be called a democratic party. If we are to criticize the Democratic Party, we must be clean ourselves, and democratization must begin within our own party."

Previously, former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk had actively criticized the party mainstream, including the pro-Yoon (Yoon Sukyeol) faction. The party then began reviewing disciplinary action against him for actions deemed damaging to the party. However, on November 3, the ethics committee decided not to discipline Kim. Since party leader Jang Donghyuk had stated that factions causing internal conflict should be dealt with, strong supporters continued to express dissatisfaction following only a warning.

At the time, Chairman Ye said during a briefing immediately after the committee's decision, "The issue with former Supreme Council member Kim was his attacks on those within the party who held different views, and some considered this damaging conduct. However, I believed that not even allowing that level of disagreement does not align with the values of a democratic party."

The People Power Party plans to appoint a new ethics committee chairman as early as next month. There is speculation that the party leadership may use the change in chairman to remove members aligned with the pro-Han faction. Previously, Lee Hosun, chairman of the Party Affairs Audit Committee, announced on November 14 that an investigation into damaging conduct had begun. The ethics committee makes the final decision on disciplinary recommendations from the Party Affairs Audit Committee.