Kim Byung-ki, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, is stating his position regarding the party's disciplinary committee's decision to expel him, at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 19th. Regarding the expulsion decision due to various allegations, Rep. Kim stated, "I will leave without applying for a retrial to avoid burdening the party." [Yonhap News] 

Kim Byung-ki, former floor leader and considered a core figure of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea, withdrew from the party on the 19th. 

Rep. Kim held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the same day and announced, "If there are disagreements within the party due to me, and if it causes even a slight burden to my colleagues, I will bear that burden entirely. I will leave without applying for a retrial," after which he revealed that he had submitted his party withdrawal application to the Seoul Metropolitan Party. 

This comes just one week after he was expelled by the party's disciplinary committee on charges of receiving nomination funds and other various allegations.

Rep. Kim was expelled by the party's disciplinary committee on the 12th, amidst a swirl of 13 allegations, including suspicions of receiving nomination funds ahead of the 2020 general elections and allegations of covering up Rep. Kang Seon-woo's receipt of nomination funds during the 2022 local elections.

Initially, Rep. Kim had protested and announced his intention to immediately request a retrial, but within a week of the disciplinary committee's decision, he changed his stance and accepted the expulsion.

This decision appears to have been made considering the reality that the allegations surrounding him, regardless of their truthfulness, are continuously having a negative impact on public opinion and consequently burdening the party and the government.

Hanmi Ilbo Editorial Department