People Power Party Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo Rebuts 'Excessive Disciplinary Actions' Criticism: "It's a Natural Measure, I Should Also Be Disciplined for the Same Offense"

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo criticized media reports on the crowd size at the Olympic Park (Olgyungdae) rally, stating that the media had underestimated the actual numbers. He mentioned that when a photo of one side of the crowd was input into ChatGPT, an AI analysis program, it estimated a minimum of 3,000 to 5,000 people, whereas media reported 1,800.

Kim estimated that considering the density of the crowd at the site, thousands were present at specific times, and the total number of participants over the entire duration of the rally would likely reach tens of thousands.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo rebutted the criticism that Secretary-General Jang Dong-hyuk was engaging in politics through disciplinary actions driven by personal grudges, calling it a "very bad frame." He emphasized that laws and systems must focus on actions, not individuals, to be fair.

Kim stated that the party leadership is not involved in the operation of the Ethics Committee and added that the committee makes judgments solely based on the party constitution, rules, and factual evidence.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo asserted that anyone who committed the same act would have received the same disciplinary action, addressing concerns about fairness. He explained that if a party official grabbed the floor leader's collar, supported an independent candidate, or mocked remarks about sexual violence, they would naturally be subject to discipline.

In particular, Kim emphasized that he himself would be disciplined without exception if he committed the same acts, stressing that the disciplinary action was not targeting specific individuals.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo evaluated the actions of the disciplined party members separately. He explained that the actions of Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae and Rep. Jin Jong-oh appeared to be clear damage to the party that disrupted the community's purpose.

In contrast, he analyzed the actions of Rep. Kwon Young-jin and Rep. Seo Beom-su as closer to personal misconduct. Kim added that whether the victim pleaded for leniency could influence the severity of the disciplinary action.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo stated that he believes Rep. Jin Jong-oh's disciplinary action was the only one that was lenient among the disciplined individuals. He explained that this was because Rep. Jin Jong-oh showed no signs of remorse for his actions.

Kim argued that considering Rep. Jin's unrepentant attitude, such as filing a recusal request for the Ethics Committee, a more severe disciplinary action was needed.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo emphasized that the essence of democracy is not to exclude differing opinions but to communicate, discuss, and even contend. He pointed out that excluding different opinions is no different from communism or socialism.

Regarding some lawmakers advocating for expulsion on grounds such as holding discussions, Kim criticized this as a failure to understand the basics of democracy.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo raised questions about the reality and representativeness of the signatures demanding disciplinary action against party members. He pointed out that 3,000 signatures demanding disciplinary action represent only about 0.1-1% of the total responsible party members, and this should not be portrayed as the opinion of all party members.

He emphasized that verification of signatories, such as whether there are duplicates or if they are actual party members, is absolutely necessary, and cautioned against media sensationalizing these reports.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo explained that the essence of reforming the party chapter chair election method lies in the party leader relinquishing power. Previously, the party leader arbitrarily appointed party chapter chairs through party audits.

However, the new method involves party members directly electing party chapter chairs by vote, thereby reducing the party leader's authority. He emphasized that this is an institutional reform to create a member-centric party and expressed the intention to strengthen members' rights through democratic procedures.

Kim added that this reform aims to establish a foundation for party members to participate more actively in party operations.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo rebutted the claim that the reform of the party chapter chair election method was intended for Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk to seize party control. He pointed out that entrusting the election of party chapter chairs to party members could result in outcomes different from the leadership's intentions.

He explained that if seizing party control were the goal, changing the election method to a member vote could actually be a risky choice. Kim emphasized that the fundamental purpose of this reform is to restore party members' rights and grant them the power to check the leadership.

He added that through this, it is important for party members to exercise substantial power and enhance the democratic nature of party operations.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo cited the strong authority of individual National Assembly members as the reason for the difficulty in reforming them. He explained that a single lawmaker's badge symbolizes the power delegated by the public, ranging from 100,000 to as many as 200,000 citizens.

Therefore, if lawmakers collectively protest, the leadership feels threatened that their positions and careers could be in jeopardy, leading to structural resistance due to the maintenance of vested interests.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo clearly distinguished between the authority of National Assembly members and the right to operate the party. He explained that while lawmakers are indeed delegated the power of the people, this is limited to their constituency activities and legislative activities.

In contrast, he emphasized that those delegated authority over the party's operation are the party leader and supreme council members. This is authority granted by party members and is a crucial point for securing democratic legitimacy within the party.

Kim asserted that excessive intervention by lawmakers in party operations is beyond their authority and stressed the importance of everyone fulfilling their respective roles.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo strongly criticized the behavior of some veteran lawmakers. He pointed out that they rarely participate in on-site struggles against the ruling party, but instead spend their time plotting to undermine Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk and the leadership.

Kim sharply rebuked this behavior, stating that it is not what veteran lawmakers should be doing, and that it would be more helpful to the party if they declared their non-candidacy for the next general election instead. This was a criticism of the act of destabilizing the party, having lost the original function of veterans to provide advice and wisdom.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo stated his strong belief that even if Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk and he himself lack the power to complete reforms, party members will take over the baton of these reforms. He explained that the People Power Party has entered a period of change driven by its members, and that party members are vocalizing their demands for change.

Kim emphasized that if reforms are obstructed by vested interests, party members will continue these efforts for change, expressing his expectation for active participation from party members.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo stated that while he personally does not comment on the severity of disciplinary actions, he believes Rep. Jin Jong-oh's discipline was 'small and lenient.' He described Rep. Jin Jong-oh's actions as "very bad conduct" and criticized him for engaging in "abnormal and unofficial actions" by even sending his aide.

These remarks suggest an understanding that Rep. Jin Jong-oh's actions went beyond personal misconduct and constituted a serious problem that undermined public ethics.