Ruling Party Expels Lawmakers in Internal Purge; Critics Cry Foul

The ethics committee of South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) has handed down severe disciplinary measures against four incumbent lawmakers belonging to the non-factional wing. The sanctions, announced on June 20, include suspensions of party rights, which could effectively prevent the targeted lawmakers from participating in the 2028 general elections.

Cho Kyeong-tae and Jin Jong-oh received the harshest penalties, with 2.5-year and 2-year suspensions of party rights, respectively. Kwon Young-jin was suspended for 1.5 years, and Seo Beom-soo received a 10-month suspension. The committee cited various reasons for the disciplinary actions, including Cho's alleged campaign against a party candidate during the election for the National Assembly's deputy speaker position, and Jin's support for an independent candidate in a by-election and his involvement in a controversial debate regarding the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights.

“

As expected, the ethics committee was a loyal hunting dog for Jang Dong-hyuk's faction.

Kwon was disciplined for allegedly grabbing the collar of floor leader Jung Jin-suk in protest of committee assignments, while Seo faced sanctions for remarks made during the same debate on prosecutors' investigative powers. Suspensions of party rights limit a member's ability to run in party primaries and receive nominations, thus impacting their electoral prospects.

“

I will more courageously stand up to correct the party's privatization and wrong operational practices.

The disciplinary actions have ignited internal conflict within the PPP, particularly as the targeted lawmakers are known critics of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk. Kwon Young-jin vehemently criticized the committee's decision, stating, "As expected, the ethics committee was a loyal hunting dog for Jang Dong-hyuk's faction." He vowed to "more courageously" challenge the party's alleged "privatization" and "wrong operational practices." Seo Beom-soo also expressed hope that the decision was not politically motivated to eliminate rivals with differing views.

These lawmakers have the option to appeal the committee's decision within 10 days or seek an injunction from the court to suspend the effect of the sanctions. Meanwhile, a proposal to have all party district committee chairpersons, including incumbent lawmakers, resign and be re-elected through a vote of party members was put on hold due to lawmaker opposition.

“

I hope this decision was not a disciplinary action to eliminate political rivals with different views.