Democratic Party Suspends Choi Kangwook's Membership for Six Months Over "Female Remark"

Disciplinary Action Decided by Supreme Council, Not Ethics Tribunal
Lee: "Strict Response Needed to Lapses in Discipline and Controversial Remarks"

The Democratic Party of Korea has imposed a six-month suspension of party membership on former lawmaker Choi Kangwook, who sparked controversy by criticizing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration with the phrase "the ones making a fuss are females."

Spokesperson Park Sungjoon told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, "In accordance with Article 77 of the party constitution and Article 32 of Party Regulation No. 7, we have decided on an emergency disciplinary action to suspend Choi Kangwook's party membership for six months."

According to Article 32 of Party Regulation No. 7, "If the party leader recognizes that there are serious and significant grounds for disciplinary action during elections or other extraordinary times, or if failure to take urgent action could cause major problems for the party, the Supreme Council may decide on disciplinary measures regardless of Articles 13 and 25." In other words, the disciplinary action was decided solely by the Supreme Council without going through the party's Ethics Tribunal.

Party leader Lee Jaemyung reportedly stated at the Supreme Council meeting, "Lapses in discipline and controversial remarks are a burden and a crisis for the party," adding, "The party has become complacent and lax, so we must use this as an opportunity for change and respond strictly to such issues." The previous day, Lee also commented on Choi's remarks, saying, "As public servants, we will respond strictly and without tolerance to inappropriate words and actions."

When asked whether the decision was unanimous, spokesperson Park said, "There were many different opinions," but added, "All Supreme Council members agreed that the party must respond strictly when such issues arise." Regarding whether the same standard would apply to similar remarks in the future, he said, "It will inevitably serve as a barometer."

The Supreme Council did not discuss disciplinary action against lawmakers Min Hyungbae and Kim Yongmin, who were present at the event, or lawmaker Heo Young, who resigned from the Special Committee on Political Reform after sparking controversy the previous day by saying, "Do citizens know the formula when they vote?"

Earlier, former lawmaker Choi attended a book concert held by lawmaker Min Hyungbae at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology on November 19, along with lawmaker Kim Yongmin, and said, "Even in Animal Farm, you rarely see female animals making a fuss," adding, "I'm not disparaging females; I'm simply calling those making a fuss females."

Choi was previously convicted of writing a false internship confirmation for the son of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. In September, he was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, which resulted in the loss of his parliamentary seat under the National Assembly Act and the Public Official Election Act, though he retained his party membership. He was also referred to the party's Ethics Tribunal last year over alleged sexually inappropriate remarks.

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