Jang Kyungtae Voluntarily Leaves Party...Democratic Party Requests Severe Disciplinary Action from Ethics Tribunal (Comprehensive)

Jang Kyungtae Vows to Return After Proving Innocence

Democratic Party: "Leaving the Party During Emergency Disciplinary Action Is Taken Very Seriously"

Jang Kyungtae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is under investigation over sexual harassment allegations, announced on March 20 that he has decided to voluntarily leave the party.

On his social media account that day, Assemblyman Jang stated, "I will prove my innocence and return so as not to cause harm to the party," adding, "I will make sure to reveal the false accusation."

He also emphasized, "Ahead of the local elections, it is important not to give any excuse for the forces of insurrection to stir," and said, "Above all, the party’s victory must not be shaken by even a fraction."

He expressed his sense of injustice as well. Assemblyman Jang said, "I faithfully participated in all police procedures, including the investigation and the investigation review committee," and added, "Despite the lack of clear evidence to determine the charge, the review committee was swayed by the investigation team’s opinion, resulting in a recommendation to refer the case to prosecutors."

Jung Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is responding to reporters' questions ahead of the investigation review committee regarding the sexual harassment allegations held at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Kang Junhyeon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the party’s Supreme Council meeting that "Assemblyman Jang submitted his resignation from the party this morning, and it was processed immediately," adding, "Since he left the party during the emergency disciplinary process, it is now difficult to impose disciplinary action. However, we have requested the Ethics Tribunal to take severe disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion."

Lee Yongwoo, head of the Democratic Party’s legal committee, stated, "Since he left the party while disciplinary proceedings had been initiated but not completed, the Ethics Tribunal is taking this matter very seriously."

Assemblyman Jang is under police investigation on charges of sexually harassing a female aide at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul in October 2024. He is also accused of secondary victimization by revealing the victim’s identity afterward.

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