Assembly member Jang Kyung-tae attends a vote to end unlimited debate [Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party's Ethics Committee on the 6th decided to impose disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion on Assembly member Jang Kyung-tae, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.

Han Dong-soo, the party's Ethics Committee chairman, announced this decision to reporters after concluding the committee meeting at the party headquarters in Yeouido this afternoon.

This comes 17 days after Jang left the party on the 20th of last month, stating, "I will not bring shame to the party."

Jang is accused of sexually harassing a female aide during a drinking session with parliamentary aides at a restaurant in Yeouido in October 2024. After the controversy erupted, he is also accused of secondary victimization, such as exposing the woman's identity.

On the 27th of last month, the police forwarded Jang to the prosecution without detention on charges of quasi-indecent assault and violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (Confidentiality).

Chairman Han explained that "when a disciplinary process is initiated and a member leaves the party to evade discipline before the review concludes, disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion is taken," stating that this measure has the same effect as expulsion. This decision is based on Articles 18 and 19 of the party rules, which deal with the investigation and discipline of individuals who commit misconduct before leaving the party.

Previously, the party leadership had requested severe disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion after Jang left the party during the Ethics Committee's investigation.

The Democratic Party has also imposed "expulsion for members who have left the party" on Assembly members Lee Chun-seok, who faced allegations of proxy stock trading through an aide, and Kang Seon-woo, who was embroiled in a "nomination fund" scandal.