DP to Process Kim Byungki's Resignation... "Expulsion Without General Assembly Not Allowed Under Political Parties Act"

Kim Byungki Requested Expulsion by Supreme Council Decision,
But Political Parties Act Made It Impossible... Ultimately Submits Voluntary Resignation

Kim Byungki, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea who has been embroiled in various controversies, including allegations of nomination bribery, has ultimately decided to voluntarily leave the party. Initially, Assemblyman Kim requested that the party leadership expel him without going through the general assembly of lawmakers, but it is understood that the party informed him this was not possible under the Political Parties Act.

Yonhap News Agency

On January 19 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Democratic Party Secretary-General Cho Seungrae stated, "At around 1:35 p.m. today, Assemblyman Kim's resignation from the party was submitted to the Secretary-General's office, and we have immediately forwarded the resignation to the Seoul Metropolitan Party for processing."

Earlier that morning, Assemblyman Kim held a press conference and said, "Although I have not yet received the Ethics Tribunal's decision, I will leave without requesting a retrial," and added, "I earnestly ask my beloved Democratic Party to consider concluding the matter with a decision by the Supreme Council if I am expelled without having requested a retrial."

However, according to Article 33 of the Political Parties Act, in order for a party to expel a member of the National Assembly, not only must the procedures prescribed by the party constitution be followed, but more than half of all party-affiliated lawmakers must also consent. The Democratic Party's constitution contains the same provision.

Secretary-General Cho reportedly conveyed these requirements of the Political Parties Act and the party constitution to Assemblyman Kim. He said, "Assemblyman Kim's request cannot be accepted under the Political Parties Act," and added, "We explained this to him, and he subsequently left the party."

The Democratic Party's Ethics Tribunal began a meeting at 2 p.m. on the same day to discuss what disciplinary action to take against Assemblyman Kim. Secretary-General Cho stated, "We are discussing how to handle this issue according to the party constitution and regulations. It seems that allowing him to leave the party during the disciplinary process would be appropriate, but we will have to see what conclusion the Ethics Tribunal reaches."

Regarding the possibility of reinstatement, Secretary-General Cho said, "Didn't Assemblyman Kim himself say this morning that he would overcome all misunderstandings, speculation, and poor judgments and return confidently as a member of the party?" He added, "If such reasons exist, of course, reinstatement measures will be taken," leaving the door open to the possibility.