[Edaily Reporter Hyera Lee ] On the 20th, the People Power Party’s Central Ethics Committee decided to suspend the party membership of four incumbent lawmakers: Reps. Jo Kyung-tae, Jin Jong-oh, Kwon Young-jin, and Seo Beom-su. Since all four lawmakers subject to disciplinary action are classified as non-mainstream faction members, concerns have been raised that this disciplinary action could further intensify internal strife within the People Power Party. In particular, as the suspension of party membership threatens some lawmakers’ ability to run in the next general election, the likelihood has increased that they will take legal action, such as seeking a temporary injunction to suspend the disciplinary measure’s effect.
The Ethics Committee finalized its disciplinary measures against the four lawmakers that evening. The suspension periods are as follows: Rep. Jo Gyeong-tae for 2 years and 6 months, Rep. Jin Jong-oh for 2 years, Rep. Kwon Young-jin for 1 year and 6 months, and Rep. Seo Beom-su for 10 months.
Initially, the Ethics Committee had announced during its morning meeting that it had decided on disciplinary measures for the four lawmakers but would disclose the specific penalties and reasons at a later date. That evening, the Ethics Committee finalized the disciplinary measures and announced the details of the suspensions of party membership.
The Ethics Committee imposed a severe disciplinary measure on Rep. Cho, suspending his party membership for two years and six months. It was found that after losing to Rep. Park Deok-heum in the May 13 intra-party primary to select the People Power Party’s candidate for National Assembly Vice Speaker, Rep. Cho sent the contents of a statement by a civic group opposing Rep. Park to lawmakers from other parties via Telegram and text messages, and asked some lawmakers to ensure Rep. Park’s defeat. The Ethics Committee ruled that this constituted “an act contrary to party policy that undermines party order.”
Rep. Kwon was referred to the Ethics Committee after causing a controversy by grabbing the collars of the former and current floor leaders while protesting the assignment of standing committees for the second half of the National Assembly session. Reps. Seo and Jin were placed under disciplinary review for making inappropriate remarks at a National Assembly forum where the victim of the “Busan roundhouse kick” incident was invited. Rep. Jin was also referred to the Ethics Committee for supporting independent candidate Han Dong-hoon in the June 3 by-election for the Busan Buk-gap constituency.
With all four lawmakers having their party membership suspended as a result of these disciplinary actions, the likelihood of them taking legal action has increased. With approximately one year and eight months remaining until the 2028 general election, if the suspension period exceeds one year and six months, it will be difficult for them to run in the next general election as members of the People Power Party. In particular, if their party membership is suspended, they will also lose their positions as local party chapter chairpersons—a role traditionally held by incumbent lawmakers.
Representative Kwon, whose membership suspension is set at one year and six months, along with Representatives Cho and Jin, will be affected by the loss of their district chapter chair positions and face challenges in running in the general election. Consequently, it is increasingly likely that they will take legal action, such as filing a motion with the court for a provisional injunction to suspend the disciplinary measures, challenging the disciplinary process or the severity of the penalties.
The four lawmakers subject to disciplinary action are members of the non-party-leadership faction who have, for some time, been at odds—directly or indirectly—with party leadership, including Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk. Consequently, there is a high likelihood that these disciplinary measures will serve as a catalyst for deepening factional conflicts within the party.
Following the disciplinary decision, Representative Seo Beom-su issued a statement expressing regret over the Ethics Committee’s ruling. Representative Seo said, “I offer my sincere apologies to the victim, the party, and the public for causing concern through my rash words and actions that were inappropriate for the situation,” but added, “I hope this ruling by the Ethics Committee was not a predetermined disciplinary action designed to eliminate political rivals who hold differing views.”
Representative Kwon Young-jin also stated in a statement, “Suspension of party membership is the harshest political punishment,” calling it “a despicable, politically motivated disciplinary action intended to silence and retaliate against lawmakers who criticize the Jang Dong-hyuk faction and call for its resignation.” Rep. Kwon added, “I will treat this disciplinary action as a badge of honor and fight even more resolutely,” and pledged, “I will step forward with even greater courage to correct the party’s transformation into a private fiefdom and its improper management practices.”