People Power Party votes to expel former leader Han Dong-hoon

Jan. 14 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's conservative People Power Party, now in opposition, voted early Tuesday to expel former party leader Han Dong-hoon after a marathon Ethics Committee meeting, citing what it called an "extremely serious" ethical and political violation. The party's Central Ethics Committee said in a statement issued around 1 a.m. that Han and members of his political faction had fueled internal controversy by attacking former President Yoon Suk-yeol, his family and senior party leaders during Han's tenure, contributing to a sharp drop in public support and trust. The committee said it concluded that Han and close associates went "too far" by attacking the Ethics Committee itself with what it described as fabricated claims, amounting to an attempt to undermine the body's authority. Expulsion is the party's highest disciplinary measure and revokes membership. Under party rules, the decision must also be approved by the Supreme Council to take effect. Party officials said a vote is expected at the council's meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Related South Korea to lift some border military zones Businessmen with investments in N. Korea urge gov't to lift sanctions on inter-Korean projects Lee's Japan visit raises prospects for closer economic cooperation, efforts to test remains of Korean forced laborers The decision followed about six hours of deliberations that began at 5 p.m. Monday. Han had previously rejected findings by the party's audit body related to a so-called party gate incident, calling them fabricated. On Jan. 9, he filed a complaint against the audit chair alleging defamation, violations of personal data laws and obstruction of party operations. Jang Ye-chan, deputy director of the party-affiliated Yeouido Research Institute, said on Facebook that senior officials confirmed there were no procedural flaws under party rules and that all required steps had been completed. Park Min-young, the party's media spokesperson, also wrote on Facebook that Han had been given multiple opportunities and urged him to step away from politics and offer apologies to those he had hurt. Lee Gun-yong, director of the floor leader's office, said the expulsion decision complied with party rules, adding that while political controversy may follow, there were no procedural problems. -- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Preview: ~373 words