Severe Backlash Follows Heavy Discipline of Non-Mainstream Members... Opposition to 'Party Organization Reshuffling'

[Anchor]

In the People Power Party, the fallout is fierce following the decision to heavily discipline four non-mainstream lawmakers. A majority of lawmakers have also rebelled against the local party organization reshuffle being pursued by leader Jang Dong-hyeok.

Reporter Kim Bo-mi has the details.

[Reporter]

Since the party ethics committee's decision yesterday (the 20th) evening to heavily discipline lawmakers Cho Kyoung-tae, Jin Jong-oh, Kwon Young-jin, and Seo Bum-soo was announced, complaints that the disciplinary action is excessive have poured out within the People Power Party.

Those subjected to the discipline lashed out at the party ethics committee, calling them "the loyal hunting dogs of Jang Dong-hyeok's faction" and "a tool for political purges," while Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, who belongs to the leadership faction, also criticized the level of discipline.

[Kim Jae-won / Supreme Council Member, People Power Party (SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show"): There are considerable problems as well. Unless there is a judgment that they cannot be together with us in the conservative camp, excessive discipline is undesirable...]

Even veteran lawmakers belonging to the pro-Yoon Suk Yeol mainstream faction pointed out, "There are concerns that this is the beginning of disciplinary politics to eliminate political rivals," and "If you try to establish discipline with a sword, it will inevitably become a castle built on sand."

Earlier this year, in the case of the discipline against pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin and former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk, the court granted an injunction to suspend their validity, which turned into a backlash for the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership. However, those targeted by the current disciplinary action have not yet clearly stated their countermeasures, such as whether they will request a retrial or apply for an injunction.

Inside the party, opposition to leader Jang's demand that "veteran lawmakers not run in the general election" is also continuing.

Five-term lawmaker Kwon Young-se said, "It is more appropriate for leader Jang to step down," and a three-term lawmaker fiercely attacked him, saying, "Leader Jang is deluded into thinking he holds the nomination rights."

Regarding the collective resignation of local party organization heads and re-election through party member voting pursued by leader Jang's side—the so-called "party organization reshuffle"—a majority of lawmakers, including floor leader Chung Jeom-sik, gathered to express their opposition at today's general meeting of lawmakers. Four-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho reportedly lashed out at leader Jang Dong-hyeok, saying, "At a time when we should be fighting against the ruling camp, they are only creating internal division," and telling him, "He must decide his future course."

(Video by: Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing by: Lee Seung-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.