Democratic Party Chungnam Provincial Assembly Member "Resign Assemblyman Choi Kwang-hee on Drunk Driving Charges"

"Empty Apologies and Resignation Should Not Be Used to Cover Up"

Members of the Democratic Party of Korea in the Chungnam Provincial Council recently called for the resignation of Choi Kwang-hee, a member of the People Power Party, who was booked by the police on charges of drunk driving.

The Democratic Party councilors issued a press release stating, "This incident occurred only five months after Ji Min-gyu, a member of the People Power Party, caused controversy due to drunk driving, driving in the wrong direction, and refusal to take a breathalyzer test last October."

They continued, "On the evening of the 20th, around 8:30 PM, Choi refused police identification and a breathalyzer test in front of a large supermarket in Dongdae-dong, Boryeong," criticizing, "Drunk driving is no different from a potential act of murder on the road."

They added, "Choi should not be allowed to cover up this incident with a hollow apology promising to repay the residents through legislative activities or by leaving the party."

The councilors urged, "Members of the People Power Party must also take responsibility for the immorality of their fellow party member and impose strict disciplinary action on Choi through the Council’s Ethics Special Committee."

They also pointed out, "Ji Min-gyu committed crimes including drunk driving, driving in the wrong direction, and refusal to take a breathalyzer test, yet received only a mild penalty of 'one month suspension' from the Chungnam Provincial Council Ethics Committee and tried to cover up the incident by leaving the People Power Party."

They emphasized, "Such irresponsible behavior and lenient disciplinary measures are a disgrace to the residents. As the saying goes, failing to punish yesterday’s crime encourages tomorrow’s crime. Therefore, mild penalties should not cause lawmakers who have caused social controversy to lose their sense of caution."

Meanwhile, at the first trial held at the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court, Criminal Division 5 (Judge Ryu Bong-geun) regarding Ji’s violation of the Road Traffic Act (refusal to take a breathalyzer test), the prosecution requested the court to sentence him to one year and six months in prison.

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