Internal tensions within the People Power Party have resurfaced as the party's Central Ethics Committee launched disciplinary reviews against members accused of conduct unbecoming. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok has maintained a hard line, raising the possibility of permanent expulsion with no path to reinstatement, even as criticism grows both inside and outside the party that it must move beyond what critics call "discipline politics."
Lawmakers attending a breakfast meeting Tuesday of the PPP's reform-minded caucus "Alternatives and the Future," held at the National Assembly members' office building, voiced collective skepticism about the ethics committee proceedings. "It's incomprehensible. There needs to be a broader consensus," they said. The group has been calling for Jang's resignation and criticizing the party leadership since before the June 3 local elections.
Rep. Lee Seong-gwon, the caucus's floor manager, told reporters after the breakfast that "the subtraction politics through discipline that Jang has led already lost its force before the last local elections when the courts ruled against it." He added that the group "opposes rule by fear and discipline politics that refuses to acknowledge differences in political direction," warning that if the party continues to act against the will of the majority of citizens, "we will not stand by."
Rep. Song Seok-jun of the same party said Tuesday that "a change in stance is needed ahead of the general election" and criticized the disciplinary push as "friendly fire, when the party should be taking the path of grand unity." Rep. Ahn Sang-hoon said he was "saddened that politics, which should be about finding solutions, seems to keep stoking conflict."
The ethics committee held a closed-door plenary session Monday afternoon at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido to review disciplinary referral requests. Those named include lawmakers who assisted independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon during the National Assembly by-elections held alongside the June 3 local elections, as well as members of "Alternatives and the Future" who publicly called for Jang's resignation. Dozens of referral requests were submitted in total.
A disciplinary referral against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was also reportedly submitted, alleging that he stayed silent on calls for a re-election and mocked Jang. Rep. Cho Kyung-tae, who faces allegations of campaigning against National Assembly Deputy Speaker Park Deok-heum — a PPP-designated seat — is also among those under review.
Jang said Monday at the supreme council meeting that "serious conduct unbecoming a party member warrants a permanent ban on reinstatement, even if it requires amending the party constitution and bylaws." However, when asked whether the measure would apply retroactively to figures already expelled, such as Rep. Han, chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said the matter "is one for the leadership to decide through the supreme council and other channels."
Concerns are mounting that "discipline politics" will produce unintended consequences. Political commentator Kim Jun-il, appearing on CBS Radio Tuesday, said he was not sure what to make of a process in which "Jang's supporters file the disciplinary requests, ethics committee chair Yun Min-woo — appointed by Jang — reviews them, and the final decision rests with the supreme council where Jang sits."
Senior PPP lawmaker Seong Il-jong said in an MBC Radio interview that while "all party members can voice opinions and demand disciplinary action," the party must first "accurately assess the facts and sort out the full picture of what harm, if any, was done to the party."
mp1256@heraldcorp.com
