'Flood Golf' Hong Joon-pyo Disciplinary Level? "Severe Punishment" vs "Warning"

Iyangsu "Serious Atmosphere in the Party Ethics Committee"
Hataekyung "Golf is Now a Popular Sport"

The People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee is set to discuss on the 20th whether to initiate disciplinary action against Hong Jun-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, who sparked controversy for playing golf during a flood disaster. Attention is also focused on the potential severity of the disciplinary measures. While some within the party predict a severe penalty of 'suspension of party membership rights' or higher, others believe it will be limited to a 'warning.'

Lee Yang-su, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said in an interview with SBS Radio on the 20th, "It seems unlikely that there will be no disciplinary action at all in this case," adding, "In fact, the atmosphere among the party's ethics committee members is quite serious."

He pointed out that although Mayor Hong himself claimed that playing golf was 'not a problem,' there are aspects that violate the party's constitution and regulations. Article 22 of the People Power Party's Code of Ethics stipulates that party-affiliated public officials must not engage in any conduct that damages the party's image, including speech or behavior contrary to public sentiment. Specifically, it states that during times when the public is mourning due to natural disasters or major incidents, regardless of circumstances, entertainment activities such as leisure events or golf are prohibited.

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, is answering reporters' questions after getting into a vehicle following a meeting with Yoon Jae-ok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of July 17, 2023. Photo by Yonhap News.

Lee, the senior deputy floor leader, added, "When actions do not meet the public's expectations, one should immediately show a reflective attitude, but failing to do so is regrettable, especially for a seasoned and experienced politician. It is also embarrassing for the party. I think Mayor Hong should now take some time for self-reflection and humbly await the ethics committee's review."

On the other hand, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, viewed the possibility of severe disciplinary action as slim. In an interview with CBS Radio, Ha said, "Golf used to be a special sport in the past, but now it has become a popular sport," and criticized, "It is somewhat outdated that the party's constitution and regulations say that playing tennis is acceptable but playing golf is not."

He added, "The political culture that stigmatizes golf should change to fit the times," and said, "Since Mayor Hong has already apologized, I hope it ends with a verbal warning." Regarding the case of former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong, who was 'expelled' in 2006 for playing golf during a flood disaster, Ha said, "That was 20 years ago," and reiterated, "Back then, even playing golf on National Foundation Day was problematic, but times have changed a lot."

Meanwhile, the ethics committee's disciplinary levels are warning, suspension of party membership rights, recommendation to leave the party, and expulsion, in that order. After the party announced it would conduct a fact-finding investigation and public opinion rapidly worsened, Mayor Hong apologized on the 19th, saying, "I humbly accept the criticism that playing golf during a nationwide flood warning was inappropriate."

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