[Comprehensive] "If not expelled, support will be withdrawn" Song Eon-seok's 'Party Official Assault' Controversy Fallout

Song Eon-seok, Controversy Over Assault on Duty Officer... "Regret the Situation at the Time" Apology
Jo Kyung-tae: "Song Eon-seok Caused Great Disappointment to the Public... Strong Disciplinary Action Needed"
People Power Party Initiates Disciplinary Procedure Against Song Eon-seok

Song Eon-seok, member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Demands for the expulsion of Song Eon-seok, a member of the People Power Party who caused controversy by verbally abusing and assaulting a party staff member, are surging on the 11th. Earlier, Song visited the party secretariat to deliver an apology letter as the controversy grew, but the backlash appears to be intensifying. Some supporters warned, "If Song is not expelled, I will vote for the Democratic Party of Korea in the next election." The People Power Party is reportedly set to initiate disciplinary procedures against Song.

On the same day, protest posts calling for Song’s expulsion were continuously posted on the People Power Party’s website bulletin board, 'Speech Platform.' Supporters expressed critical reactions such as "Expel Song immediately. If not, I will leave the party," "The People Power Party did not win this election because it is great. If Song is not expelled, I will withdraw my support," and "If he is not expelled, the People Power Party will cease to exist."

In particular, one supporter warned, "Is Song’s behavior representative of the general mindset of People Power Party members?" and added, "I hope the conservative popularity, which has begun to gain support from young people, continues steadily. However, if Song remains in the party, the People Power Party will be the target of judgment in the next election."

Another supporter also raised their voice, saying, "Expel Song. Are you trying to become a hypocritical party?" and "If you feel nothing even after seeing the Democratic Party collapse, there is really no hope. I crossed over to the People Power Party with difficulty because I hated the Democratic Party’s hypocrisy of being lenient to their own and critical of the opposition, but are you going to act the same as the Democratic Party? Please do not disappoint us."

On the People Power Party's website bulletin board called 'Bal-eondae,' protest posts demanding the expulsion of Assemblyman Song Eon-seok are continuously being posted. Photo by People Power Party website capture.

Criticism also came from within the party. On the same day, Cho Kyung-tae, a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "Song’s wrongful words and actions have caused great disappointment to the people who supported our party," and added, "I hope the party will swiftly take strong disciplinary measures such as referring Song to the Ethics Committee with a spirit of decisive sacrifice, showing a humble and exemplary attitude that meets the high expectations for our People Power Party."

Regarding this, Joo Ho-young, acting party leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, announced on the same day that "the Ethics Committee procedure will be followed" concerning Song.

After concluding a meeting on real estate policy between the People Power Party and Seoul City at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Joo told reporters about Song’s assault on a party staff member, "Next week, we will refer him to the Ethics Committee according to party rules and regulations." Depending on the Ethics Committee’s decision, disciplinary measures such as expulsion, recommendation to leave the party, suspension of party membership rights, or warnings will be determined.

Joo Ho-young, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the People Power Party-Seoul Metropolitan Government Real Estate Policy Council held at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 7th, Song was embroiled in controversy for kicking the shin of Jeong Gang-i, the director of the party secretariat, and verbally abusing him because his seat was not prepared in the party’s situation room ahead of the exit poll announcements by the three major broadcasting stations for the by-election. In response, the party secretariat immediately issued a statement demanding Song’s official apology and resignation from the party.

Initially, Song claimed in an interview with a media outlet, "I only spoke about the seating arrangement and raised my voice a bit, but there was no assault," but as the controversy continued, he apologized, saying, "I regret the situation at that time."

The party secretariat then released another statement saying, "Song admitted to the facts regarding the unfortunate incident that occurred in the vote counting situation room," and "Song personally came to the secretariat with an apology letter."

They added, "Song regrets the incident after it happened," and "The victims are appealing for leniency, considering Song’s dedication to the party and the party’s development."

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