Swift Disciplinary Action for Kang Seonwoo and Kim Byungki... Ruling Party on Edge from the Start of the Year

Aiming to Prevent Distrust in Nominations Ahead of Local Elections
Jeong Cheongrae: "We Will Watch With Hawk Eyes"

The Democratic Party of Korea is expediting disciplinary procedures by expelling Assemblywoman Kang Seonwoo, who is suspected of receiving illegal nomination funds, and requesting severe disciplinary action against former Floor Leader Kim Byungki, who faces various corruption allegations.

According to the Democratic Party on January 2, the party leadership held an emergency Supreme Council meeting on the evening of New Year's Day and decided to expel Assemblywoman Kang, who had left the party earlier that day. In the case of former Floor Leader Kim, the party requested the Central Ethics Tribunal to decide on disciplinary action.

This comes three days after reports surfaced that Kang's camp received 100 million won from Kim Kyung, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member candidate during the 2022 local elections, and that former Floor Leader Kim, who was then the secretary of the Seoul Party Nomination Committee, discussed the matter with Kang. Former Floor Leader Kim insisted that Kim Kyung should be cut off from the nomination, but Kim Kyung ultimately received the sole nomination.

Former Floor Leader Kim is also facing allegations of various misconduct and preferential treatment, as well as accusations that he received cash from former Dongjak-gu council members during the 2020 general election and later returned it.

Byungki Kim (left), Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Seonwoo Kang are attending the plenary session of the National Assembly and having a conversation on December 24, 2025. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The Democratic Party's decision to convene an emergency Supreme Council meeting on the first day of the new year to determine disciplinary actions and requests is seen as an effort to prevent public distrust in the ruling party's nominations ahead of the local elections.

This move is based on the judgment that failing to draw a clear line in a timely manner, amid petitions, media reports, and even audio recordings regarding illegal acts, could lead to a prolonged unfavorable situation. The party is also mindful of the opposition's demands for a special investigation into the Democratic Party's nomination process.

At the Supreme Council meeting that morning, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae stated, "We will eliminate unjust disqualifications and hold primaries for all those who meet the qualifications for preliminary candidates. There will be no parachute nominations. The central party will closely monitor the nomination process at city and provincial party levels, and if any illegal acts are confirmed, we will take swift and necessary measures."

Jeong also emphasized, "If we do not clearly distinguish between merit and fault, public and private matters become entangled, and the party's order and discipline will collapse. Ahead of the upcoming local elections, I am determined to ensure the most democratic primaries without nomination controversies, and to nominate the most competitive candidates."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on January 2, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin