People Power Party lawmakers Cho Kyeong-tae (from left), Kwon Young-jin, Suh Beom-soo, and Jin Jong-oh [Yonhap News]

The People Power Party’s Ethics Committee, which has initiated disciplinary proceedings against lawmakers Cho Kyeong-tae, Kwon Young-jin, Suh Beom-soo, and Jin Jong-oh, summoned the four members on the 18th to hear their positions regarding the disciplinary matters.

Following their explanations regarding the controversies that led to the disciplinary proceedings, the only remaining steps are for the Ethics Committee to decide whether to impose sanctions and determine the level of punishment. However, it is understood that no final decision will be made within the day.

Within the party, there is speculation that if heavy sanctions are indeed imposed on these non-mainstream members who have taken a critical stance against Representative Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership, it could intensify factional conflicts surrounding what some call Jang’s "disciplinary politics."

The Ethics Committee held a plenary meeting at the central party headquarters in Yeouido this afternoon and called in each of the four lawmakers—who have been embroiled in controversy over various remarks and actions—to hear their explanations.

Rep. Cho, who faces disciplinary action for allegedly urging other party lawmakers to vote against the People Power Party’s own National Assembly Deputy Speaker candidate, Park Duk-hyum, during the election process for the opposition-allocated deputy speaker position, said after the meeting, "The issue of defying the party primary was raised, but I replied that it is a matter that can be interpreted in different ways."

He continued, "I asked them, 'If you use such criteria, what about the attempt to replace the presidential candidate with former Minister Kim Moon-soo, which had a much larger impact? Why did the Ethics Committee ignore the party audit committee’s recommendation for a heavy sanction of a three-year suspension of party membership for major figures involved?'"

He added, "I will respect whatever level of discipline is decided. However, this was an act aimed at defending the Constitution and democracy. Civic groups issued two statements declaring that a person who condones insurrection should never become deputy speaker, and I could not ignore that in good conscience. I told them how that could possibly be considered an act contrary to the party's interests."

Rep. Jin, who underwent the explanation process before Rep. Cho, told reporters that he would submit a motion to recuse the Ethics Committee members today. "I was very disappointed and uncomfortable that, while they did not guarantee enough time for a written submission, the proceedings themselves were led by loaded questions such as, 'You did something wrong, so be judged here today. Do you not understand Korean?'" he stated.

Rep. Jin’s side explained that they had requested to know the list of ethics committee members in advance, but the committee refused to disclose it. They argued that because there may be committee members who should be subject to recusal, the current explanation procedure could be illegal, and therefore requested that the process be re-guaranteed.

Rep. Jin was reported to the committee for allegedly supporting independent candidate Han Dong-hoon during the June 3 by-election in Buk-gu, Busan.

In addition, Rep. Kwon faces disciplinary action over a "collar-grabbing" controversy, while Rep. Suh is being scrutinized for a "spinning kick" gaffe.

Regarding this, the victim of the "Busan spinning kick" incident, identified as Kim Jin-ju (a pseudonym), submitted a petition to the Ethics Committee regarding Rep. Suh, stating, "Please show leniency in the level of discipline so that my forgiveness will not be in vain and that this matter does not escalate into a bigger issue leading to further harm."

While the People Power Party’s Supreme Council had previously recommended Rep. Kwon’s departure from the party, many within the party predict that for the other lawmakers under investigation, a "suspension of party membership" is the most likely outcome.

With only one year and eight months remaining until the 2028 general elections, attention within the party is focused on the duration of the potential suspensions of party membership.