Joo Ho-young, "'Kim Seong-won Resignation,' Will Gather Opinions While Proceeding with Disciplinary Procedures"

Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is volunteering for flood recovery in the basement of a building in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, which suffered heavy damage due to heavy rain on the 11th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the calls for Kim Seong-won, a People Power Party lawmaker who drew criticism for making an inappropriate remark during flood relief volunteer work, to be urged to leave the party, Joo Ho-young, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated on the 12th, "We will proceed with disciplinary procedures and gather opinions."

Chairman Joo made this remark during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly on the same day in response to public opinion about urging Kim to leave the party.

Kim became embroiled in controversy for saying, "I hope it rains so that the photos come out well," at a flood recovery volunteer site held in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the previous day.

On the morning of the same day, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly to apologize to the public and announced that he would resign from his position as the secretary of the Budget and Accounts Committee. When asked whether this decision had been discussed in advance, Chairman Joo replied, "There has been no discussion with me."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party plans to consider filing a complaint with the Ethics Committee at the party level. When asked whether the filing procedure would proceed today, Chairman Joo said, "There are methods such as the party leader filing the complaint or the Ethics Committee taking action, but as the emergency committee chairman, I will decide on filing with the Ethics Committee in the near future."

Regarding the August 15 special pardon announced that day, Chairman Joo stated, "From our perspective, we hoped for a broad pardon especially for livelihood-related crimes, so that aspect is regrettable." Regarding the opposition party's criticism that this special pardon was "a blatant pardon focused mainly on economic offenders," he said, "We need to hear the position of the Presidential Office."

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