Na Kyung-won: "Lee Jun-seok Must Accept Disciplinary Action... If Wise, He Will Not Resist"

"Ethics Committee Is Not an Investigative Agency... Party Members Must Follow Party Decisions"
"Praise for Quick Acting on Duty, Will Decide on Party Leader Candidacy Later"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party (right), and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yoon-jin] Former People Power Party floor leader Na Kyung-won commented on Representative Lee Jun-seok, who was disciplined with a "6-month suspension of party membership rights," saying, "A wise politician would not oppose the decision."

Na, the former floor leader, made this remark on the 12th during an appearance on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show." He added, "I think that for (Representative Lee) to make a comeback, accepting the decision at times like this would show a more mature attitude."

Regarding the claim that the party's Central Ethics Committee cannot discipline the party leader based solely on suspicions, Na countered, "The Ethics Committee's decision is not that of an investigative agency. Ethics involve various obligations such as maintaining dignity," and stated that the disciplinary decision should be respected.

On the 9th, Na also directly criticized Representative Lee, who hinted at opposing the discipline, through his Facebook, emphasizing, "The Ethics Committee's decision is that of an official party organization. Regardless of one's status as a party member, it is an obligation to respect and follow the party's decisions. The party leader is no exception."

He praised the decision made the previous day for Representative Kwon Seong-dong to serve as acting party leader, saying, "It is a decision befitting the People Power Party. It is a decision that can restore trust as the ruling party."

He continued, "There may be those who interpret (the party constitution and regulations) differently, but this is not the time to debate interpretations. The important thing is how to resolve the party's current confusion and conflict," adding, "I want to commend the current lawmakers for smoothly and swiftly managing the turmoil."

Meanwhile, regarding whether he will run in next year's party leadership election, Na avoided a direct answer, saying, "The timing has not been decided yet, so it is difficult to say anything." With Representative Lee's party membership rights suspended and some calling for his resignation, Na and others are being mentioned as potential candidates.

However, Na did not completely rule out the possibility of running, stating, "If the role the next party leader must fulfill aligns with what I can do well, then it would be right to run. I will observe a bit more before making that judgment."

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