Jeong Cheong-rae: "Disciplining the Pro-Approval Faction Is Not Desirable... Appropriate Measures Will Be Taken for the Conduct"

It seems to mean that while disciplinary action against members who passed the vote is not possible, disciplinary action for the specific conduct is possible.

Jeong Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, hinted on the 18th at a separate response policy regarding the lawmakers who voted in favor of the arrest motion for Representative Lee Jae-myung. Regarding the disposition of the approval of the arrest motion, he said, "The leadership thinks it is undesirable," but also mentioned, "The relevant action is currently on hold."

Supreme Council member Jeong made these remarks during the Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, denying media reports.

On the 18th, Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader, and Jung Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member, are entering the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, a media outlet reported on the 13th that Representative Lee conveyed his intention at a closed Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting that "those who voted in favor will not be disciplined." Regarding this report, Supreme Council member Jeong said, "It is not true," and added, "Our leadership cannot distinguish the pro-approval faction, and even if we could, we think it is undesirable to take any measures or dispositions against these individuals."

However, Supreme Council member Jeong suggested that a different response might be possible regarding the relevant actions. He said, "The matter is still on hold, and especially regarding party member discipline, we are currently considering the response," adding, "I would like to inform you that it is in the process of political judgment." He also stated, "There have been and will be measures taken regarding such actions in the past and future," emphasizing, "This is a natural and routine party matter based on merit and demerit."

Summarizing these remarks, it means that disciplinary procedures will not be taken against the 29 lawmakers presumed to have voted in favor of Representative Lee's arrest motion. In fact, within political circles, it has been said that since the arrest motion was conducted by secret ballot, it is impossible to identify the lawmakers who voted in favor, let alone how many there were. However, it was stated that a different response might be possible regarding the relevant actions, which is interpreted to mean that disciplinary discussions could be possible concerning some lawmakers' statements before and after the approval of the arrest motion, aside from the approval itself.

Park Seong-jun, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in this regard, "I think it will be discussed once Representative Lee returns," adding, "Before his return, the situation is unclear."

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