Park Ji-won: "Kim Byungki Should Voluntarily Leave the Party Even If It Feels Unfair... Jeong Cheongrae Needs Tough Leadership"

Kim Byungki Faces Allegations of Accepting Illegal Political Funds
Park Ji-won: "Voluntary Departure Before Investigation Results Is the Proper Course"
"Hoping He Clears His Name Through Police Investigation and Returns"

Kim Byungki, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, resigned from his position amid allegations of accepting illegal political funds and other misconduct. In response, Park Ji-won, a fellow party member, publicly called for his voluntary departure from the party. On January 6, Park wrote on social media, "I'm traveling from Gwangju to Seoul. Whether it was at Representative Park Kyuntaek's mother's funeral last night, a breakfast meeting with journalists this morning, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry's New Year ceremony, or a lecture hosted by Representative Jung Junho of Gwangju Buk-gap, citizens everywhere in Gwangju are concerned not about the People Power Party, but about the Democratic Party's candidate nomination donation scandal." He added, "People are outraged, asking how such things can happen in the Democratic Party in the 21st century, saying this isn't like the Liberty Party's rubber shoes election."

Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said to former floor leader Kim Byung-gi, "The proper way is for former floor leader Kim to voluntarily leave the party, undergo investigation by the police, and return alive." Photo by The Asia Business Daily

Park continued, "I gave a lecture with tears in my eyes, urging, 'Even if you feel wronged, former floor leader Kim, please voluntarily leave the party.' Even if you feel it's unfair, you must put the party before yourself and walk the path of self-sacrifice, and my eyes welled up as I said this. I hope to see Kim Byungki, whom I affectionately call 'younger brother,' return after clearing his name through a police investigation, with his usual rough but respectful demeanor, calling me 'big brother.'"

The Democratic Party reportedly plans to hold a Central Party Ethics Tribunal meeting on January 12 to discuss possible disciplinary action, after receiving an explanation from Kim Byungki regarding the allegations. Park commented, "If the party waits for the results of the investigation until the 12th, it will be too late. How do you expect to endure this?" He added, "A leader needs benevolent leadership, but sometimes must use tough leadership to save the organization. I urge Representative Jeong Cheongrae to make a decisive move."

That evening, during an interview on JTBC's "Lee Gahyeok Live," Park once again urged Kim to voluntarily leave the party. He stated, "The proper course for former floor leader Kim is to voluntarily leave the party, undergo a police investigation, and return alive. Continuing like this will only make things harder for both himself and the Democratic Party." However, he added, "Knowing his usual character and integrity, I firmly believe he has nothing to do with money under any circumstances."

Byungki Kim, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Kim Byungki previously faced allegations of accepting political funds from a former district councilor during the 2020 general election. He is also suspected of helping to cover up a 100 million won bribery allegation involving Kang Sunwoo, then a Democratic Party lawmaker, ahead of the 2022 local elections.

In an interview with the News Tomato YouTube channel on January 5, Kim responded to criticism that, following Representative Kang's expulsion from the Democratic Party, there were calls for his own resignation. He said, "I am sorry, but I do not want to link this to leaving the party. If I leave, I have no reason to continue in politics. Even if I am expelled, I will not voluntarily leave the party."

He added, "In the current storm, I ask for a little trust and patience. I will resolve most of these issues. In fact, it will not take long to prove the facts regarding most of the allegations. If investigated, the matters involving Representative Kang and my wife will be clearly revealed."