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 issued a statement expressing its respect for the Ethics Committee’s decision to expel Assemblyman Kim Byung-ki, as well as for the former floor leader Kim's request for a retrial. As a result, it is expected that the likelihood of Party Leader Jung Cheongrae imposing emergency disciplinary measures against Kim has diminished.

Park Soo-hyun, the party’s chief spokesperson, stated in a written briefing that the Ethics Committee is an independent body operating in accordance with the party’s constitution and regulations, and therefore, the decision to expel Kim “cannot be subject to any external pressure or political interpretation of advantage or disadvantage.” He added, “We also respect this (expulsion) decision.”

Chief Spokesperson Park further 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 retrial process as it proceeds.”

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 Dongsoo, head of the Democratic Party’s Ethics Committee, told reporters on January 12 that the committee had decided to expel former Assemblyman Kim after reviewing multiple allegations, including preferential treatment from Korean Air, pressure to identify and dismiss former aides, and involvement in nomination bribery, all of which constituted grounds for disciplinary action.

After Kim stated on social media, “Allegations cannot become facts. I will immediately request a retrial,” there was speculation within and outside the party that the leadership might exercise its emergency disciplinary authority to contain the turmoil.

However, it is now interpreted that the leadership, ahead of the June 3 local elections, has chosen to wait for the outcome of the Ethics Committee’s retrial process rather than invoke emergency disciplinary powers, which could have significant political repercussions.

Nonetheless, Chief Spokesperson Park emphasized, “Given the seriousness of this matter and the high level of public interest, the retrial process will proceed swiftly and rigorously to reach a prompt conclusion,” adding, “The standard for all decisions is the public’s expectations, as well as political responsibility and morality.”