More Severe Than Recruitment Solicitation? Ruling Party Ethics Committee Faces 'Rubber Ruler' Controversy Over Decency Violations

Supreme Court Convicts and Sentences
Former Lawmakers Kim Seong-tae and Yeom Dong-yeol Disciplined
Party Membership Suspended for 3 Months

Lee Jun-seok Suspended for 6 Months at Suspicion Stage
Controversy Over Ambiguous Criteria

Hong Joon-pyo: "Already Not a Party Member, Suspension Is an Odd Decision to Anyone"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] The People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee has come under criticism for applying a "rubber band standard" in its disciplinary decisions, as it imposed a three-month suspension of party membership on former lawmakers Kim Seong-tae and Yeom Dong-ryeol. Former lawmaker Kim was confirmed guilty by the Supreme Court for the charge of "KT hiring favor for his daughter," while former lawmaker Yeom received a confirmed prison sentence from the Supreme Court in the "Kangwon Land hiring corruption" case. Previously, the Ethics Committee imposed a harsher six-month suspension of party membership on party leader Lee Jun-seok, who was under investigation for allegations of sexual bribery, meaning that a heavier punishment was decided for an ongoing investigation than for confirmed guilty verdicts. In particular, as claims have emerged that party membership should be lost upon conviction according to the Political Parties Act, criticism surrounding the Ethics Committee's decisions is expected to grow.

On the 19th, the People Power Party Ethics Committee imposed a three-month suspension of party membership on former lawmakers Kim Seong-tae and Yeom Dong-ryeol. Ethics Committee Chairperson Yang Hee said in a press briefing after the disciplinary vote regarding Kim's punishment, "Considering his past contributions and dedication to the party, the fact that there was a non-prosecution disposition for abuse of authority and obstruction of business charges, and that he was acquitted in the first trial, we respected the judiciary's judgment in deciding the discipline." Regarding former lawmaker Yeom, she explained, "He was acquitted of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights charges, and we also considered that the act had a character of employment support for children in the closed mining areas."

However, dissent has emerged within the party over the Ethics Committee's decision. Kim Yong-tae, a senior member of the People Power Party, appeared on a radio show that day and said, "In the case of former lawmaker Kim Seong-tae, the Ethics Committee could not have avoided disciplining him due to the Supreme Court ruling, but he served as floor leader, led the 'Druking special prosecution,' and was at the forefront of the opposition's hunger strike protests." He added, "The committee imposed a heavy punishment without political consideration, and compared to Lee Jun-seok, who received a six-month suspension based only on allegations without the facts being addressed yet, the standards are ambiguous."

A senior lawmaker from the People Power Party also said, "From a party member's perspective, the standard of judgment is literally 'ethics,' so we cannot disregard the Ethics Committee's decision," but also lamented, "There are difficult aspects because even matters that could be overlooked become problematic once reported to the Ethics Committee."

Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu and a five-term lawmaker, criticized former lawmakers Kim Seong-tae and Yeom Dong-ryeol on his Facebook, mentioning that they are no longer party members and calling it "a cruel act of stabbing a corpse."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Hong said, "Once the Supreme Court ruling is confirmed, party membership is lost during the imprisonment or probation period according to the Political Parties Act, so unfortunately, they are already not members of the People Power Party during that period," and added, "It is obviously a strange decision for the Ethics Committee to impose a suspension of party membership on two individuals who are not even party members." He continued, "Former lawmaker Kim was a victim of opposition oppression, and former lawmaker Yeom was prosecuted in a Kangwon Land employee hiring case similar to that of floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, but due to poor legal response, he was convicted and is now imprisoned at Yeongwol Prison." He argued, "Those who talk about pardoning former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, the perpetrator, are turning things upside down and being brazen by imposing party membership suspensions on former lawmakers Kim Seong-tae and Yeom Dong-ryeol, who endured the hardest and most difficult times."

Recently, the number of complaints filed with the Ethics Committee has increased following the disciplinary action against party leader Lee. The Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps filed complaints against former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, and senior member Kim Yong-tae for criticizing the Ethics Committee. In particular, after Lee was disciplined for "violation of dignity maintenance," internal dissatisfaction emerged within the party that Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, should also be scrutinized for his remarks.

Regarding the Ethics Committee's decision, Acting Leader Kwon responded on the same day with a general statement, "Since it is a decision by an independent body, it is not appropriate for the leadership to comment on its appropriateness."

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