People Power Party expands ethics committee amid push for disciplinary action

The People Power Party (PPP) has signaled an intensified focus on party discipline by appointing an additional member to its Central Ethics Committee. This expansion brings the committee's total membership to seven, including Chairperson Yoon Min-woo, and comes as the party braces for a period of disciplinary actions.

The decision was made during a Supreme Council meeting on July 9. The committee, which can comprise up to nine members according to party regulations, added a member known for their role as a legal advisor to the party. Reports indicate that only Youth Supreme Council member Woo Jae-joon expressed concerns regarding the additional appointment during the closed-door meeting.

This expansion follows recent statements by interim party leader Jang Dong-hyuk emphasizing the need for "establishing party discipline." The Ethics Committee convened its first meeting since the local elections on July 6 to deliberate on disciplinary cases. However, it reportedly did not decide on whether to initiate formal disciplinary proceedings during that session.

The cases under review involve lawmakers associated with former interim leader Han Dong-hoon, who supported an independent candidate during the recent Busan Buk-gap by-election, and members of the "Alternative and Future" faction who publicly called for Jang Dong-hyuk's resignation. The party's spokesperson, Choi Bo-yoon, stated that the committee's meetings after the local elections are a natural and necessary procedure to address party members' demands and adhere to party rules.

In addition to the Ethics Committee, the PPP also made some adjustments to its spokesperson team. Ham In-kyung and Lee Ji-ae, whose terms as spokespersons had expired, were reappointed. Additionally, Bong Sung-beom was newly appointed as a media spokesperson. Lee Ji-ae had previously faced criticism for remarks perceived as aligning with the "Yoon Again" movement, after thanking the former president for "waking us up."

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The Ethics Committee's meetings after the local elections are a natural and necessary procedure to address party members' demands and adhere to party rules.