Daejeon Metropolitan Council Ethics Committee Votes to Expel Song Hwal-seop

"Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Female Employee"
Final Decision to Be Made After Plenary Session

Member of the Ethics Special Committee of Daejeon Metropolitan Council.

There is growing speculation that Song Hwal-seop, an independent member of the Daejeon Metropolitan Council representing Daedeok District 2, who was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial on charges of sexually harassing a female employee, will be expelled.

On August 4, the Special Ethics Committee of the Daejeon Metropolitan Council (Ethics Committee) held its first meeting and reviewed the case against Councilor Song for "violation of the duty to maintain dignity." The committee voted to expel him, with seven members in favor and two opposed.

Since this matter was decided by the Ethics Committee, which has jurisdiction over such cases, it is expected to pass in the plenary session unless there is a significant change. Expulsion will be finalized if at least two-thirds of the total council members agree in the plenary session.

Previously, Councilor Song appealed after receiving the first trial verdict. The appeal trial is still ongoing, so the sentence has not been finalized. Therefore, the Ethics Advisory Committee expressed the opinion that the expulsion procedure was not appropriate due to the principle of double jeopardy. However, the Ethics Committee proceeded with the expulsion process after legal consultation and passed the motion for expulsion.

The Ethics Committee requested Councilor Song to attend the meeting to explain himself when the expulsion motion was introduced, but he did not comply, so the explanation procedure did not take place.

Lee Jungho, chairperson of the Ethics Committee, explained the result by stating, "The committee deliberated between expulsion and a 30-day suspension, but consensus was reached that expulsion was appropriate due to Councilor Song's violation of dignity." He added, "A plenary session will be convened with the consent of at least one-third of the council members to make the final decision."

Meanwhile, Councilor Song was indicted on charges of sexually harassing a female employee at his election campaign office during the last general election period, and was sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence by the Daejeon District Court. He has appealed the verdict.

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