Park Ji-won Expresses Gratitude for Kim Byungki's Self-Sacrifice: "Stay Strong, Your Elder Brother Is With You"

Park Ji-won Urged Kim Byungki to Voluntarily Leave the Democratic Party
On Withdrawal Decision: "I Believe in His Innocence... We Must Wait for the Investigation"
Kim Byungki: "I Will Return After Clearing All Suspicions"

Park Ji-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker who had been urging the voluntary withdrawal of former Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byungki amid allegations of nomination bribery, stated, "I read the Telegram message from former floor leader Kim today, saying he is leaving the party," and added, "I express my respect and gratitude for his self-sacrifice, putting the party first, and loyalty to the party."

Regarding the voluntary withdrawal of Kim Byung-ki, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, amid allegations of nomination bribery, Park Ji-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker, expressed "respect and gratitude for his self-sacrifice, putting the party first, and loyalty to the party." Photo by The Asia Business Daily Database

On the 19th, Park wrote on social media, "I was a colleague of former floor leader Kim and received much help from him," and continued, "Even while believing in his innocence, I was the first to call for his resignation as floor leader, voluntary withdrawal from the party, and even said harsh words that the party should decide his fate. I did so because I believed in his innocence." Park went on to say, "I hope this concludes the party's procedures. We can now wait for the results of the investigation by the authorities. Demanding anything further would be excessive." He added, "I will accompany Assemblyman Kim and help him prove his innocence. Assemblyman Kim, stay strong. Your elder brother will be with you."

In an interview on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show" on the 14th, Park said, "Former floor leader Kim is politically finished due to the decision of the party's Ethics Committee. The rest is up to the investigative authorities. I cannot be any harsher to him." Regarding Kim's announcement of an appeal, Park said, "It pains me. But sometimes harsh decisions must be made. Politicians and parties are not governed solely by law," adding, "I eagerly await the day he wins his case with the police and returns to our Democratic Party."

Former Democratic Party floor leader Byungki Kim is leaving the press conference room after expressing his feelings about the Ethics Committee's expulsion decision and other matters at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 19th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Previously expected to undergo an appeal process regarding the party Ethics Committee's expulsion decision, former floor leader Kim submitted his withdrawal from the party to the office of the Democratic Party's Secretary-General at around 1:35 p.m. on the 19th. This came seven days after the expulsion decision and 20 days after stepping down as floor leader. The party reportedly forwarded his withdrawal to the Seoul Metropolitan Party Office for immediate processing.

On the morning of the same day, former floor leader Kim held a press conference and announced that he would not be filing an appeal, but requested an expulsion decision at the leadership level without going through a general assembly of lawmakers. However, after being informed that, under the Political Parties Act, expelling a lawmaker requires a majority vote of party members in the National Assembly, making it impossible to avoid a general assembly vote, he ultimately decided to withdraw from the party voluntarily. That afternoon, he posted in a group chat with Democratic Party lawmakers on Telegram, stating, "I apologize for causing concern and distress," and added, "After fully clearing all suspicions, I will return and serve the people and the party with greater humility."

The Democratic Party's Ethics Committee, on the 19th, effectively issued a post-facto expulsion for former floor leader Kim, who withdrew from the party after the expulsion was decided. In the future, when the Party Membership Qualification Review Committee considers his reinstatement, it will take into account the intent of the Ethics Committee's decision.

Meanwhile, former floor leader Kim is reportedly facing 13 allegations currently under police investigation. These include the nomination bribery allegations, suspicions of involvement in his second son's transfer to Soongsil University, allegations of his spouse's misuse of operational funds at the Dongjak District Council, suspicions of receiving hotel vouchers from Korean Air and requesting special treatment, as well as the Coupang luncheon allegations. On the 19th, police reportedly raided the Dongjak District Council and launched simultaneous investigations into several of these allegations.