DP seeks ethics ruling on Kim Byung-ki

Jan 02, 2026, 08:46 am

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Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae sits in thought during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Dec. 22. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

The Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday it has formally requested a disciplinary review by its central ethics panel for former floor leader Kim Byung-ki, while lawmaker Kang Sun-woo has been effectively expelled over alleged campaign donation improprieties.

Senior party spokesperson Park Soo-hyun told reporters after an emergency Supreme Council meeting that the leadership voted to ask the Central Ethics Committee to swiftly decide on disciplinary action against Kim, based on findings from the party’s ethics inspection unit. The ethics panel will not only determine sanctions but also conduct related inquiries, he said.

The move followed an ethics inspection ordered by party leader Jung Cheong-rae on Dec. 25. The leadership sought an ethics ruling immediately after the inspection results were reported to the council about a week later.

Party officials declined to disclose details of the inspection, citing an ongoing police investigation. “As a police probe is under way, it is difficult to comment on the inspection findings,” Park said, asking for understanding.

Regarding Kang, party officials said she was effectively expelled after submitting her resignation from the party online at 8:03 p.m. on Thursday. While the leadership cannot vote to expel a member who has already withdrawn, party rules allow ethics bodies to review alleged misconduct by former members and to record confirmed grounds for discipline.

Under the rules, the ethics panel may notify the party’s membership review committee of any confirmed violations, which must be reflected in any future application for reinstatement. “This procedure produces the same effect as expulsion,” Park said, emphasizing that the record would bar reinstatement absent extraordinary circumstances.

#Democratic Party of Korea #Kim Byung-ki #ethics panel #disciplinary review #campaign donation allegations