DPK Ethics Tribunal Decides Not to Discipline Democracy Institute Chief Over Jeong Cheong-rae Meeting

The Democratic Party's central ethics tribunal has decided not to discipline Lee Jae-young, head of the Democracy Institute, who faced allegations of violating the neutrality duty of party officials ahead of the August 17 national convention.

According to the Democratic Party, the ethics tribunal dismissed a request from the national convention's election commission on July 31 to impose heavy disciplinary action against Lee.

Lee, who also serves as the party's regional chapter chief for Yangsan 갑 in Gyeongsangnam-do, hosted a meeting with party members in his constituency on July 25, inviting party leadership candidates including Jeong Cheong-rae for party leader and Supreme Council candidates Choi Min-hee, Lee Seong-yoon, and Han Min-su, who are viewed as close to Jeong.

Consequently, the election commission concluded that Lee violated Article 77 of Party Regulation No. 4, which outlines the neutrality obligations of party officials, and requested heavy disciplinary action such as suspension from duty.

However, the ethics tribunal stated, "It is insufficient to recognize that the respondent (Lee) hosted the meeting in his capacity as the head of the policy research institute (a party official position) rather than as a regional chapter chief, who is not subject to the neutrality obligation," adding, "We therefore dismiss the disciplinary request against the respondent."

Lee was appointed as the head of the Democracy Institute in December of last year when Jeong served as the party leader.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.