With Ethics Committee, disciplinary procedure initiated against Hong Jun-pyo for 'flood golf'... "Violation of party ethics rules"

Restrictions on Entertainment and Golf, Violations of Dignity Maintenance Applied
Severe Disciplinary Actions Discussed Within the Party

The People Power Party Ethics Committee decided on the 20th to initiate disciplinary procedures against Hong Jun-pyo, the Mayor of Daegu, who sparked controversy over 'flood golf'.

The Ethics Committee held a meeting that afternoon and, after discussing whether to discipline Mayor Hong, decided to commence disciplinary procedures and proceed with subsequent steps.

The grounds for discipline were related to playing golf at a golf course in Daegu on the 15th, when heavy rain caused casualties nationwide. This was deemed a violation of Article 22, Paragraph 2 (Restrictions on gambling, entertainment, golf, etc.) of the party's ethics rules. At that time, Daegu was under 'Emergency Duty Level 2', with more than 20% of all employees on emergency duty.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, the Ethics Committee viewed his media interview statements and Facebook posts on the 17th and 18th as violations of Article 4, Paragraph 1 (Maintenance of dignity) of the party's ethics rules. After the controversy arose, on the 17th, despite criticism that his actions were inappropriate, Mayor Hong insisted, "It is not inappropriate. Stop nitpicking." When the party leadership launched a fact-finding investigation on the 18th, he opposed it, saying, "Do not engage in politics based on public sentiment laws."

Hwang Jeong-geun, Chair of the People Power Party Ethics Committee, explained in a back briefing after the meeting, "When all citizens are distressed and anxious due to the flood damage, a metropolitan mayor belonging to the ruling party must stand with the people. If they act against public sentiment and reveal a lack of empathy, this directly damages the party's image."

He continued, "Although the official apology made yesterday after four years in power has prevented further spread of controversy, the Ethics Committee must hold the individual accountable for the actions that have already occurred. Regardless of whether the metropolitan mayor, as a public official, violated laws or followed prescribed manuals, violations of the ethics regulations as a party member are grounds for discipline," he stated.

The next Ethics Committee meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the 26th. The levels of discipline by the Ethics Committee include warning, suspension of party membership, recommendation to withdraw from the party, and expulsion.

Within the party, severe disciplinary actions such as expulsion are being discussed. This is because former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong, who was the Gyeonggi Province Party Chairman in 2006, was expelled after playing golf in a flood-affected area. Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on the day, "I think Mayor Hong's apology can be somewhat taken into account by the Ethics Committee," but added, "The party has a history of responding strictly to golf during natural disasters."

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