Severe Backlash Follows Disciplinary Action Against Non-Mainstream Members; Resistance Grows Against Local Party Unit Reshuffle

[Anchor]

Severe fallout is continuing within the People Power Party following heavy disciplinary measures against four lawmakers belonging to the non-mainstream faction. A majority of lawmakers have also rebelled against the so-called local party committee chairperson reshuffle pushed by leader Jang Dong-hyeok.

Reporter Kim Bo-mi has the details.

[Reporter]

Since the party's Ethics Committee announced its decision on the evening of the day before yesterday to impose heavy disciplinary actions on lawmakers Cho Kyeong-tae, Jin Jong-oh, Kwon Young-jin, and Suh Bum-soo, criticisms that the penalties are excessive have poured out within the People Power Party.

Those subjected to the disciplinary action lashed out at the party's Ethics Committee, calling them "faithful hunting dogs for the leadership faction led by Jang Dong-hyeok" and a "tool for political purge." Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, who belongs to the leadership faction, also criticized the severity of the disciplinary measures.

[Kim Jae-won / Supreme Council Member, People Power Party (SBS Radio 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show'): There are significant problems. Unless there is a judgment that they cannot be together within the conservative camp, excessive disciplinary action is undesirable....]

Even veteran lawmakers from the pro-Yoon Suk Yeol mainstream faction pointed out, "There are concerns that this might be the beginning of disciplinary politics aimed at eliminating political rivals," or "If you try to establish discipline through the sword, it is bound to become a castle built on sand."

Earlier this year, disciplinary actions against pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin and former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk resulted in a backlash for the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership after a court accepted applications for injunctions to suspend their validity. However, those targeted by the latest disciplinary measures have not yet clearly stated their countermeasures, such as whether they will request a retrial or apply for an injunction.

Internal party backlash is also continuing against leader Jang's demand that veteran lawmakers not run in the general election.

Five-term lawmaker Kwon Young-se stated, "It is more appropriate for leader Jang to step down," and a three-term lawmaker fiercely attacked him, saying, "Leader Jang is gripped by the delusion that he holds nomination authority."

Regarding the batch resignation of local party committee chairpersons and their re-election through party member voting pursued by leader Jang's side—the so-called local party unit reshuffle—a majority of lawmakers, including Floor Leader Chung Jeom-sik, gathered to express their opposition at yesterday's general meeting of lawmakers. Four-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho reportedly lashed out at leader Jang, stating, "At a time when we should be fighting against the ruling party, we are only creating internal division," and demanding that he "make a decision on his political future."

(Video reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Video editing: Lee Seung-jin)

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