Minjoo, Files Ethics Committee Complaint Against Kim Nam-guk Over 'Coin Controversy'... Burdened by Criticism of "Reform in Words Only"

Democratic Party Decides to File Ethics Committee Complaint Against Rep. Kim Nam-guk on 17th
Ruling and Opposition Parties to Form Ethics Special Committee Today... Begin Disciplinary Discussions

The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 17th to file a complaint against Representative Kim Nam-guk, who left the party amid controversy over virtual asset (coin) speculation, to the National Assembly's Special Ethics Committee. It is interpreted that the party felt burdened by criticisms that the party's own fact-finding investigation had effectively been halted following Kim's departure, which could undermine the sincerity of the party's reform efforts. Discussions on disciplinary action against Representative Kim at the National Assembly level are expected to accelerate.

Park Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the party's expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "We have decided to file a complaint against Representative Kim Nam-guk to the National Assembly's Special Ethics Committee." He explained that this decision was made by the leadership, including party leader Lee Jae-myung.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the party's reform general meeting on the 14th, the Democratic Party reiterated its commitment to an internal fact-finding investigation regarding Representative Kim's coin controversy, stating, "We will not evade responsibility through the individual member's withdrawal." Although they announced that strict investigations would be followed by disciplinary action, Kim has not actively submitted materials, and the party leadership's response to the controversy has been lukewarm. This has led to fierce criticism likening the incident to a "second Cho Kuk scandal." As voices grew louder about the party facing its greatest crisis ahead of next year's general election, it appears the party ultimately decided to file a complaint against Kim.

On the same day, the ruling and opposition parties completed the formation of the Special Ethics Committee at a plenary meeting and began full discussions on whether to discipline Representative Kim. Lee Cheol-gyu, secretary-general of the People Power Party, said on KBS Radio in the morning, "If the two parties' chiefs meet and negotiate today, a conclusion will be reached," adding, "Ultimately, the party that makes such a decision must bear full responsibility." This is interpreted as a kind of warning that if the Democratic Party is uncooperative in disciplining Kim or if the disciplinary level does not meet public expectations, it must accept the resulting criticism.

The People Power Party, which is advocating for the highest disciplinary action under the National Assembly Act?'expulsion from the National Assembly'?against Representative Kim, who sparked the coin speculation controversy, proposed a joint disciplinary motion at a meeting between ethics committee secretaries the day before. Since disciplinary action against a member of the National Assembly requires up to 60 days of advisory committee review, this proposal was made to expedite the process. However, the Democratic Party reserved its position, citing party procedures and stating it would consult with the leadership. Lee said, "At the meeting between the two parties' chiefs yesterday, it was agreed that if both parties consent, the review could proceed immediately without a deliberation period. However, the Democratic Party said the secretary had not been appointed and suggested discussing it today, so it was postponed," adding, "It is disappointing to the public, but it seems the Democratic Party is not easily accepting this." When asked how far the ethics committee could go in disciplining, he replied, "They can expel."

The People Power Party is intensifying its offensive by forming a Kim Nam-guk Coingate Task Force and emphasizing a National Assembly-level fact-finding investigation. Lee explained, "There may be limitations to investigations conducted by the National Assembly, but I understand that a report was made to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Financial Services Commission yesterday. We plan to investigate the facts by receiving reports from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Ministry of Personnel Management and cross-referencing subsequent events."

With the Democratic Party deciding to file a complaint against Representative Kim to the ethics committee on the same day, attention is focused on whether disciplinary discussions will accelerate. Spokesperson Park said, "We were planning to review the party-level fact-finding investigation results and then proceed with filing a complaint to the ethics committee, but since the prosecution is conducting a search and seizure related to Kim's coin transactions, there are limitations," adding, "Since the party's investigation is expected to take considerable time, we judged that it is appropriate to file the complaint to the ethics committee without delay." It is known that party leader Lee Jae-myung personally made the statement regarding the complaint. Park conveyed, "Representative Kim admitted to trading coins during National Assembly committee activity hours," and "He has an obligation to comply with public official ethics standards, and Lee stated that it is necessary to hold him strictly accountable and file a complaint to the ethics committee."

The key issue is the level of disciplinary action. While the People Power Party and the Justice Party mention 'expulsion from the National Assembly,' attention is on how far the Democratic Party will discuss this within the ethics committee. Regarding this, Representative Kim Jong-min said on SBS Radio that "there is no need to speculate politically," but also predicted, "Since the public is watching and monitoring everything, it will not be easy to let this slide vaguely."

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee held a plenary meeting on the same day and adopted a resolution requiring all members of the National Assembly to voluntarily report their virtual asset holdings to relevant agencies. The resolution mandates that all members voluntarily report their virtual asset status to the Ministry of Personnel Management, which handles public officials' asset registration, and allows the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to investigate the acquisition, trading, and loss of virtual assets as part of its anti-corruption duties.

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