People Power Party Ethics Committee Speeds Up Disciplinary Process for Kim Jonghyuk After Expelling Han Donghoon

Ethics Committee to Convene Meeting on the Morning of January 19
Kim Jonghyuk to Present Explanation in Person

The Central Ethics Committee of the People Power Party is accelerating disciplinary procedures against former Supreme Council Member Kim Jonghyuk, following its decision to expel former leader Han Donghoon. Kim is considered a close associate of Han.

Kim Jonghyuk, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, appeared before the Central Ethics Committee held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on September 11 last year, and after providing his explanation, he met with reporters for an interview. Photo by Yonhap News

The Ethics Committee plans to hold a meeting on the morning of January 19 to discuss disciplinary action against Kim. It is reported that Kim will attend the meeting in person to present his explanation.

Originally, the committee intended to discuss disciplinary measures against Kim alongside Han during a meeting held the previous day. However, the discussion was postponed after Kim pointed out that he had been notified of his attendance only one day in advance, which he deemed unfair.

With the Ethics Committee's decision to expel Han having pushed internal strife to its peak, the decision regarding disciplinary action against Kim is expected to further intensify factional conflict within the party.

Previously, the Party Affairs Audit Committee of the People Power Party recommended a severe disciplinary action to the Ethics Committee, suggesting a two-year suspension of party membership for Kim. The Audit Committee cited as reasons that Kim had appeared on radio and YouTube programs, compared the party to an extreme regime, made discriminatory remarks about a particular religion, and used derogatory language toward the party leader.