"Just a Stopgap Measure"... Why Are There Backdoor Talks Within the Ruling Party About Taeyoungho's 3-Month Disciplinary Action?

"3-Month Suspension Is a Stopgap..."
"There Will Be Noise Over Whether to Give a Primary Election Opportunity"

There are murmurs within the party following the Central Ethics Committee's decision to suspend former People Power Party Supreme Council member Taeyoungho's party membership for three months amid a series of controversies.

Compared to the uproar caused by his remarks such as the "April 3 Kim Il-sung memorial site" and the leaked recordings that sparked allegations of presidential office interference in candidate selection, the punishment is seen as a slap on the wrist.

On the other hand, Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon, who was also referred to the Ethics Committee, received a one-year suspension, making it difficult for him to be nominated for next year's general election. Although Taeyoungho stepped down from his Supreme Council position, his opportunity to run in the general election has not been completely blocked.

Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party who resigned from the position of Supreme Council member amid various legends and controversies. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, People Power Party lawmaker Hong Moonpyo said in a BBS radio interview on the 12th, "Considering the trust of the people, the anxiety caused to party members, and the damaged party image, I believe such a mild punishment is insufficient. There should have been a much sterner penalty for the Ethics Committee to be seen as active and principled, appealing to the public, but the blade was too dull, in my opinion."

He continued, "Although he resigned from the Supreme Council position, that does not erase the controversies he caused, and since he has already hurt the public and greatly disappointed party members, he should have taken greater responsibility."

Cheon Haram, chairman of the People Power Party's Suncheon Gap district in Jeonnam, also appeared on YTN radio and said, "The three-month suspension for former Supreme Council member Tae is a temporary fix, and given the severity of the controversies and issues he caused, it is too light to just let it pass and be forgotten."

He added, "There will be considerable uproar over whether to grant him a nomination, cut him off, or give him a chance in the primaries," and "(the three-month suspension) only postpones the controversy a little further."

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