DPK Unlikely to Impose Emergency Disciplinary Action on Kim Byungki... "Respect for Expulsion Decision and Retrial Request"

Park Soo-hyun: "A Procedure Stipulated in the Party’s Constitution and Regulations"

On January 13, the Democratic Party of Korea announced that it respects both the decision by the party's Ethics Tribunal to expel Assemblyman Kim Byung-ki and Kim's request for a retrial. As a result, it is expected that the likelihood of party leader Chung Cheong-rae imposing emergency disciplinary action against Kim has diminished.

Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing that the Ethics Tribunal is an independent body operating in accordance with the party's constitution and regulations, emphasizing that the decision to expel Kim "cannot be subject to any external pressure or political interpretation of gains and losses." He added, "We also respect this (expulsion) decision."

Chief spokesperson Park also commented on Kim's intention to request a retrial, saying, "This is a procedure and a right stipulated in the party's constitution and regulations," and added, "We also respect the fact that the retrial process will proceed."

Former floor leader of the Democratic Party, Kim Byung-ki, who is suspected of various corruptions including bribery for nomination, is appearing before the Democratic Party Ethics Tribunal at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on January 12, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Previously, Han Dong-soo, head of the Democratic Party's Ethics Tribunal, told reporters on January 12 that the tribunal had decided to expel former Assemblyman Kim after deliberating on multiple allegations, including preferential treatment from Korean Air, pressure to identify and dismiss former aides, and involvement in bribery for nomination, all of which constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

After Kim stated on social media that "allegations cannot become facts" and that he would "immediately request a retrial," there was speculation within and outside the party that the leadership might exercise emergency disciplinary powers to contain the situation.

However, it is interpreted that the leadership, ahead of the June 3 local elections, has chosen to wait for the outcome of the Ethics Tribunal's retrial rather than invoke the politically charged emergency disciplinary powers.

Nonetheless, chief spokesperson Park stressed, "Given the seriousness of this matter and the high level of public interest, the retrial process should proceed swiftly and strictly so that a conclusion can be reached as soon as possible," adding, "The standard for all decisions is the public's expectations, as well as political responsibility and integrity."