"Kim Nam-guk, Over 200 Virtual Transactions in Standing Committee"... National Assembly Ethics Advisory Committee Likely to Decide Disciplinary Level (Comprehensive)

Hong's Golf Play Incident Overshadowed by Subsequent Response
"Previous Day's Apology Press Conference Will Be Considered"
National Assembly Ethics Committee Completes Review of Kim Nam-guk's Disciplinary Proposal

The People Power Party Ethics Committee will begin discussions on disciplining Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, who sparked controversy over playing golf during flood damage, on the 20th. On the same day, the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee's Ethics Review Advisory Committee will conclude its review of the disciplinary proposal against Rep. Kim Nam-guk, who left the Democratic Party amid a virtual asset controversy.

It was revealed that Mayor Hong played golf at a golf course in Daegu on the weekend of the 15th, when heavy rains caused casualties nationwide. At that time, Daegu had issued 'Emergency Duty Level 2,' requiring more than 20% of all employees to be on emergency duty. In response to the controversy, Mayor Hong said, "Where in the public service regulations does it say you can play tennis on weekends but not golf?" and added, "They are using golf to borrow the public sentiment law to criticize me," expressing his opposition.

Accordingly, the Ethics Committee decided on the 18th to initiate disciplinary discussions against Mayor Hong ex officio. This is based on Article 22 of the People Power Party Ethics Code, which prohibits acts contrary to public sentiment, such as playing golf, during national disasters. The day before, Mayor Hong bowed his head and said, "I sincerely apologize to the people and party members wounded by the flood damage." However, since the Ethics Committee initiated the agenda ex officio, it is highly likely that a decision to commence disciplinary action will be made.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There is a precedent where former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong was expelled for playing golf during flood damage in 2006, so severe disciplinary action is also possible. Lee Yang-su, the People Power Party's senior deputy floor leader, said, "It seems likely to go as far as disciplinary action," adding, "The atmosphere among the party's ethics committee members is quite severe." On the same day, People Power Party spokesperson Yoon Hee-seok said in a KBS radio interview, "The regulations are codified, so even if there is an apology, it is difficult to treat it as if nothing happened," but also noted, "I understand there are opinions that the apology could be taken into consideration." Rep. Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party also said on CBS radio that day, "The explanation process seemed to be more problematic," but added, "I don't think there will be severe disciplinary action."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Ethics Review Advisory Committee is expected to decide the level of discipline for Rep. Kim by reviewing his transaction records and explanations on the same day. Once the advisory committee determines the disciplinary level for Rep. Kim and delivers it to the Ethics Special Committee's disciplinary subcommittee, the disciplinary proposal will go through the subcommittee and the full Ethics Special Committee meeting for approval before proceeding to the plenary session for a final vote.

According to the preliminary first investigation results tentatively compiled by the advisory committee based on materials submitted by Rep. Kim so far, it was found that Rep. Kim conducted more than 200 virtual asset transactions during National Assembly standing and subcommittee meetings. It was also tentatively investigated that the amount cashed out by selling coins at the end of 2021 reached approximately 9.9 billion KRW. The transactions identified by the advisory committee were mainly 'Wemix' coin trades conducted through the coin exchanges Bithumb and Upbit, and it is known that data on so-called 'junk coin' transactions were not secured. The final investigation results are expected to show an increase in both the number and amount of Rep. Kim's transactions compared to the preliminary figures.

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