Lead
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has taken disciplinary steps against one of its lawmakers, Rep. Kwon Young-jin, after he grabbed the party's floor leader by the collar during a heated protest over the assignment of parliamentary committee chairs. The party's supreme council on Monday decided to ask Kwon to voluntarily leave the party, with the possibility of expulsion if he refuses, according to a party official.
Coverage Comparison
Yonhap News Agency reported that the incident occurred on Thursday, July 23, when Kwon and several other PPP lawmakers visited the office of floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig to demand an explanation for the party's picks for committee chairs. During the protest, Kwon reportedly shouted at Jeong and grabbed him by the collar. The reports note that Kwon issued an apology in the party's online group chat room, saying his words and actions were entirely his fault "regardless of the reason."
The supreme council's decision, announced on Monday, July 27, came after a closed-door meeting. Chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon told reporters that the party leadership agreed unanimously that the incident was "a serious issue that calls for stern punishment." Park added that if Kwon rejects the proposal to leave voluntarily, the ethics committee would convene promptly and consider "the strongest possible disciplinary action, including expulsion."
Key Claims
- Rep. Kwon Young-jin apologized for grabbing the party's floor leader by the collar. He posted the apology in the party's online group chat room, stating his words and actions were entirely his fault "regardless of the reason," as reported by Yonhap News.
- The incident occurred during a heated protest over the assignment of parliamentary committee chairs, according to Yonhap News.
- Rep. Kwon was among some PPP lawmakers who visited the office of floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig on Thursday, July 23, to protest the committee chair selections, as reported by Yonhap News.
- Rep. Jung Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, strongly condemned the incident during a party meeting, stating that violence should not be justified under any circumstances, according to Yonhap News.
- The labor union representing PPP secretariat employees issued a statement expressing regret over the incident, as reported by Yonhap News.
- The supreme council decided to ask Rep. Kwon to voluntarily leave the party, according to Yonhap News.
- If Rep. Kwon refuses to leave the party, he may face expulsion, according to a party official cited by Yonhap News.
- Rep. Jeong said he would put the incident behind him and focus on his duties as the floor leader, telling reporters, "I will put all past grievances behind me and fulfill my responsibilities as the floor leader for the livelihoods of the people and the normalization of the country," as reported by Yonhap News.
Perspectives
Party Leadership: The PPP supreme council, including chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon and secretary-general Jung Hee-yong, took a firm stance, calling the incident "a serious issue" and vowing stern punishment. Jung stressed that violence should not be justified under any circumstances and apologized to party members and the public.
Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig: Rep. Jeong chose to move forward, stating he would put the incident behind him and focus on his duties as floor leader.
Rep. Kwon Young-jin: The lawmaker apologized, acknowledging his actions were "deeply disrespectful" to the floor leader and undermined his leadership, and expressed regret to fellow lawmakers, party members, and the public.
Labor Union: The union representing PPP secretariat employees issued a statement expressing regret over the incident.