Democratic Party Ethics Inspection Team Launched... Investigation of Lee Sang-jik and Kim Hong-gul

Assemblyman Choi Gisang, Former Judge, Appointed as Head

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Chereung] The Democratic Party of Korea launched an Ethics Inspection Team on the 16th and began investigations into Representative Lee Sang-jik, founder of Eastar Jet, and Representative Kim Hong-gul, who was involved in a controversy over omitted property declarations. The Democratic Party also suspended the party position of Representative Yoon Mee-hyang, who has been indicted by the prosecution.

Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters on the day, “Representative Yoon has already been investigated by the prosecution and indicted. The effectiveness of an internal investigation by the party’s Ethics Inspection Team has therefore disappeared,” adding, “Actions will be taken according to the court’s judgment.”

He continued, “She herself has stated her position, and the Secretary-General reported this, with the Supreme Council making the decision.”

Choi also said, “Party leader Lee Nak-yeon took the Eastar issue, which involved the dismissal of 600 workers, very seriously,” and “This is also why it became the first case for investigation.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said, “During the party convention process, we promised to establish an Ethics Inspection Team as part of party reform measures,” and “The Ethics Inspection Team will serve as the Democratic Party’s version of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).”

He explained, “It will handle illegal and deviant issues such as corruption and gender violence involving elected officials and key party officers from legal, moral, and ethical perspectives, and refer cases to the Ethics Tribunal and others.”

Lee emphasized, “I hope it will strictly and independently carry out its duties according to party rules, social norms, and conscience, thereby establishing ethics among party members and contributing to enhancing the party’s trust.” Choi Ki-sang, a Democratic Party lawmaker who served as a presiding judge at the Seoul District Court and chairman of the National Judges’ Conference, was appointed as the head of the team.

The Ethics Inspection Team is an internal party body established by the Democratic Party following the sexual harassment case involving the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, to prevent misconduct by party officials. The team can request disciplinary action from the Ethics Tribunal and audits from the Party Affairs Audit Office under the direction of the party leader.

Secretary-General Park Kwang-on reported on the suspension of Representative Yoon’s party position and the formation of the Ethics Inspection Team at the Supreme Council meeting that morning. According to Article 80 of the Democratic Party’s party rules, the Secretary-General can suspend the duties of party officials at all levels who have been indicted on charges related to corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds upon indictment and request investigations from the Ethics Tribunal at all levels.

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, publicly criticized the Democratic Party’s lukewarm response to Representative Lee during her speech to the heads of non-negotiating parties the day before, saying, “Can the ruling party, which gave a gold badge to a vicious business owner, just ignore this?”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.