People Power Party Ethics Committee Confirms Disciplinary Action Against 4 Lawmakers… Possibility of Exclusion from Future Nominations Raised

The People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee confirmed disciplinary action to suspend the party membership of four lawmakers at its 19th meeting held yesterday morning at 10 AM. Lawmaker Cho Kyoung-tae received a 2-year and 6-month suspension of party membership, and Lawmaker Jin Jong-woo received a 2-year suspension. Lawmaker Kwon Young-jin received a 1-year and 6-month suspension, and Lawmaker Seo Beom-soo received a 10-month suspension.

This disciplinary action is expected to significantly impact the disciplined lawmakers' nominations for the next general election. Since voting and candidacy rights are revoked during the suspension of party membership, lawmakers with long disciplinary periods, such as Cho Kyoung-tae and Jin Jong-woo, are expected to be effectively excluded from nominations as it will be difficult for them to run as People Power Party candidates in the next general election. In the case of Lawmaker Seo Beom-soo, the issue of his position as district committee chairman is also being raised.

The political struggle between the ruling and opposition parties continues over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's written nomination of Supreme Court justices. The Democratic Party criticized Chief Justice Cho's written nomination as a unilateral notification. In contrast, the Supreme Court explained that it was forced to choose a written nomination because consultation on the meeting schedule with the Blue House fell through. It emphasized that the Chief Justice's independent right of reappointment is guaranteed by the Constitution. It was also argued that a meeting is not mandatory for exercising the right to nominate Supreme Court justices.

Allegations have been raised that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung held a private meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. It is understood that the meeting discussed the promotion of semiconductors in Gwangju and pressure from the US regarding investment in memory semiconductors. Currently, Leader Lee is reportedly also pursuing additional meetings with the chairmen of Samsung and Hyundai Motor.

Political commentator Song Gook-geon evaluated the People Power Party's disciplinary action against lawmakers as "a measure against deviant behavior, not political retaliation." He stated that there were various reasons for the disciplinary action and drew a line, saying that the claims from those who are protesting that it targeted non-party members are not true. He emphasized that the deviant actions of each lawmaker occurred individually. Commentator Song also argued that the disciplinary action was an independent decision by the Ethics Committee, not the party leadership, and that suspension of party membership is a more effective response than expulsion.

The Democratic Party announced a new strategy to strengthen the party's media channels. The Democratic Party stated that it would begin broadcasting in the early morning through 'Democratic Party TV' and completely reorganize the party's message transmission system. This is interpreted as a move to reduce reliance on Kim Eo-jun's broadcast and strengthen the party's independent public relations capabilities.

An analysis suggests that a power struggle is intensifying within the Democratic Party between the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction and Lawmaker Chung Cheong-rae's side. The example of Supreme Council members Choi Min-hee, Lee Sung-yoon, and Han Min-soo appearing simultaneously on Kim Eo-jun's broadcast was cited. In particular, it was mentioned that Kim Eo-jun showed a critical stance towards Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok during the primary process, leading to observations that the fragmentation of forces within the Democratic Party is becoming more apparent. Some have even evaluated that Lawmaker Chung Cheong-rae effectively won this election.

In the social influence survey announced by Sisa Journal, writer Yoo Si-min ranked first for the third consecutive year. Lee Guk-jong, Sohn Suk-hee, and Kim Eo-jun followed, with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung ranking eighth. The survey was conducted targeting the general public and experts, but some raised suspicions about its progressive bias. These results can be interpreted as indicators of each individual's social presence and public recognition.

Conflict is intensifying between Leader Lee Jae-myung's side and the judiciary over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's method of nominating Supreme Court justices. Leader Lee's side criticized the Chief Justice's written nomination method as a unilateral notification without consultation, claiming it was an attempt to force the appointment of a specific judge. Political commentator Song Gook-geon stated that Leader Lee Jae-myung is avoiding a meeting and attempting to reject the nomination because the Supreme Court justice he desires was not appointed. Concerns are also being raised that if the appointment is rejected, the Chief Justice's right of reappointment could be nullified.

The Democratic Party intensified its offensive against Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and began posting 'Cho Hee-dae Resign' banners nationwide. The Democratic Party strongly criticized Chief Justice Cho for destroying the rule of law and even hinted at the possibility of impeachment. Lawmaker Kim Min-seok stated, "Mr. Cho Hee-dae, step down," putting pressure on his resignation. However, some point out that such an early public opinion campaign could backfire. Criticisms include undermining the independence of the judiciary and that the political offensive is excessive.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, stated that reforming the method of selecting district committee chairmen is an important attempt to resolve the party's structural problems. He criticized the practice of the party leader arbitrarily exercising nomination rights through party audits and emphasized that the principle of term expiration in August of even-numbered years, stipulated in the party rules and regulations, must be observed. He also argued for the need to check district committee chairmen who maintain vested interests and do not serve.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, emphasized that unlike in the past, party members should have the right to directly elect district committee chairmen. Citing the example of the 2019 open primary system, he argued that local party members, not the party leader, should decide the district committee chairmen. This is part of an effort to strengthen intra-party democracy and reflect the voices of party members.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, acknowledged that party reform is facing tremendous resistance from vested interests, but stated that reform without resistance from vested interests is not true reform. He asserted that the majority of Supreme Council members agree on the direction of reform, and the opposition from vested interests is, in fact, evidence of the intensity of the reform. Supreme Council member Kim emphasized that a party-centered party should be built for the party's development and to maintain tension.

Concerns have been raised that individual lawmakers possess significant power, and if they act collectively, they can pose a political threat to the party leadership. Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, lamented, "Each and every lawmaker has immense power," and "if these people gather in droves and attack, I feel threatened that I might not be unharmed." This situation shows that promoting intra-party reform can face significant difficulties.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, emphasized that the authority over party management is delegated to the party leader and Supreme Council members. He drew a line, stating that while lawmakers are delegated authority only for legislative activities, party members have never delegated authority over party management. This statement clarifies that party management is within the realm of the democratically legitimate elected leadership.

Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, criticized that the current senior members of the People Power Party have lost their function as senior members. He pointed out that while senior members should serve as a channel of wisdom to provide direction for the organization, some current senior members are shaking the party leader. He emphasized that this is not the proper conduct for a senior member. He also stated that a four-year term as a lawmaker is a process of re-evaluation, and senior lawmakers should not rest on their laurels. He stressed that for the party's development, senior members must present a new vision and lead change.

The argument for creating rental housing in Yongsan Park has been criticized as unrealistic. Kim Min-soo, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, pointed out that it is expected to take 8-9 years just to purify the soil in Yongsan Park, and negotiations with the U.S. military regarding cost sharing have not been completed. He strongly criticized the idea that building rental apartments in Yongsan Park would be faster than in other areas as a deceptive illusion. It was also argued that the government intends to shift responsibility to Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Doubts have been raised about the feasibility of former Governor Lee Jae-myung's pledge to supply 1.35 million housing units. Kim Ki-heung, Media Spokesperson for the People Power Party, pointed out that the supply of 1.35 million units refers only to the number of units started, not actual completed and occupied units. He criticized that even after a year since the pledge was announced, the number of started units falls short of the target. While the 6.27 measures (loan regulations) and 9.7 measures (housing supply policy) were announced in 2023, he stated that former Governor Lee Jae-myung's pledge could be misleading due to the numbers. Spokesperson Kim argued for seeking realistic supply solutions through phased deregulation of redevelopment projects.

Concerns have been raised that former U.S. President Donald Trump's mention of the number of nuclear weapons could imply recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state. Kim Ki-heung, Media Spokesperson for the People Power Party, pointed out that the moment Trump mentioned the number '57', North Korea could interpret it as "they recognize our nuclear weapons." He warned that while the U.S. is aware of North Korea's nuclear development, recognizing it as a nuclear-weapon state could transform denuclearization talks into arms control talks focused on freezing. He analyzed that Trump's remarks might be intended to shift domestic political issues or frame North Korea as a recognized nuclear state.

It has been revealed that the promotion rate for officers from the Korea Military Academy (KMA) to major and lieutenant colonel has declined for three consecutive years. Kim Ki-heung, Media Spokesperson for the People Power Party, pointed out that the decline was particularly significant during the Lee Jae-myung administration. The promotion rate for KMA lieutenant colonels dropped from 48% to 40%. In contrast, the promotion rates for officers from the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy showed different trends than the KMA. In particular, the promotion rate for Naval Academy graduates was found to have surpassed that of the KMA, which is an unusual phenomenon considering that the KMA's enrollment capacity (330) is twice that of the Naval Academy (170).

Kim Ki-heung, Media Spokesperson for the People Power Party, claimed that the decline in the promotion rate for Korea Military Academy (KMA) officers was due to a 'grudge for offending Lee Jae-myung'. He strongly criticized Leader Lee Jae-myung's recent mention of integrating the tri-service academies, interpreting it as "defining KMA cadets as a potential coup force." Spokesperson Kim views the discussion of tri-service academy integration as an attempt to remove mainstream forces. He also refuted the idea that academy integration is unrelated to preventing coups, citing the case of Thailand, and expressed concern that such claims could demoralize KMA officers.

The visit to Beijing, China, by 15 ruling and opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee was canceled. The visit was originally scheduled for four days from the 19th, but the Chinese Embassy in Korea reportedly informed the National Assembly to remove Lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon and Democratic Party Lawmaker Kwak Sang-won from the visiting delegation. Their past visits to Taiwan are presumed to be the reason for the entry refusal. In response, some criticized that the official parliamentary visit might appear as a recreational trip.

Kim Ki-heung, Media Spokesperson for the People Power Party, strongly criticized the Chinese Embassy in Korea's intervention in the list of visiting lawmakers as a clear interference in internal affairs and a violation of sovereignty. He stated that the measure to restrict lawmakers' visits based on their visits to Taiwan is unacceptable. Even if it is ultimately better not to visit China, he argued that China's refusal of entry to lawmakers of another country based on their personal activities is a violation of sovereignty. Spokesperson Kim mentioned concerns that China is infiltrating various countries worldwide, including Australia and Canada, and asserted that such actions must be firmly dealt with.