Democratic Party deputy ethics chief fired after message claims faction was targeting lawmaker

South Korea’s Democratic Party fired its deputy ethics oversight chief one day after appointing him, following a Telegram message that accused a faction linked to former leader Chung Cheong-rae of targeting a lawmaker.

Party leader Kim Min-seok ordered Kang Min-gu’s immediate dismissal on Sept. 1, the party said in a notice. The order came after cameras captured a message Kang sent to senior party official Park Seon-won during a plenary session of the National Assembly.

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It seemed Chung Cheong-rae’s faction had started working on Kim Ki-pyo.

Kang wrote that he did not understand why another joint deputy position had been recommended when party rules appeared to allow only one full-time deputy. He added that “it seemed Chung Cheong-rae’s faction had started working on” lawmaker Kim Ki-pyo and said the party might need to move quickly to take control.

Kang was reportedly raising concerns with Park about a proposal from Chung’s side to recommend another deputy to Kim Ki-pyo. Kim Ki-pyo serves as head of the ethics oversight body directly attached to Kim Min-seok’s party leadership.

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We may need to go quickly and take control.