The People Power Party has fallen into 'Jeon Hangil's swamp.' During a joint speech event and broadcast debate held for the party convention scheduled for the 22nd, the candidates for party leader had a heated debate regarding their relationship with Jeon Hangil, a former professor of Korean history who supports former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Some voices within the party argue that given there were disruptive acts during the joint speech event, they should 'cut ties' with Jeon to prevent further controversy.
The People Power Party's Election Management Commission decided on the morning of the 11th not to permit Jeon Hangil (born Jeon Yu-gwan) to attend the party convention. The party's Central Ethics Committee has decided to initiate disciplinary procedures against Jeon. Previously, during the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Speech Event' held on the 8th, Jeon sparked controversy by inciting party members to shout 'traitor' during speeches from candidates supporting the pro-impeachment faction.
◇Opposition likely to discipline Jeon Hangil over 'traitor jeers'
The Central Ethics Committee of the People Power Party initiated disciplinary proceedings against Jeon on that day. The Ethics Committee will notify Jeon of the start of disciplinary action in writing and provide opportunities for attendance and submission of documents for his explanation. After hearing Jeon's explanation, the committee plans to hold a meeting at 10:30 a.m. on the 14th to finalize the level of discipline. The disciplinary actions include expulsion, recommendation for resignation, suspension of party membership, warning, and caution.
Jeon is likely to face disciplinary action. The main reason being that Jeon, who entered the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Speech Event as a journalist, disrupted the event with loud shouting and incited party members, ignoring democratic procedures. Instead, the Ethics Committee has explained that it will give Jeon an opportunity to provide explanations and decide on 'mitigating factors.'
Yeosangwon, chairperson of the Central Ethics Committee, met with reporters after the committee's meeting and noted, "In my personal opinion, Jeon's actions are not trivial," adding, "If the joint debate is proceeding smoothly through legitimate procedures, one should not shout 'traitor' simply because they are not happy. In a democratic party, everyone must follow democratic procedures as a principle."
Jeon is unlikely to attend the joint speech event in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam scheduled for the 12th. Ham In-kyung, spokesperson for the People Power Party's Election Management Commission, after the meeting that day, stated, "Jeon is not a responsible party member and is not registered as a journalist, so he will not be allowed to enter the joint speech venue in the future," and added, "Should any disorderly conduct occur, we will take serious warning measures."
◇Change in atmosphere within the party following 'speech event jeers'
Evaluations of Jeon within the party have rapidly changed since the 'traitor jeers' incident at the party convention. In particular, dissatisfaction has risen among lawmakers who believe that the party's discipline has collapsed and its honor tarnished due to Jeon's unexpected actions. There are also criticisms that the party appears divided due to Jeon's disruption at the joint speech event and broadcast debate meant for discussing the party's vision. Following the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Speech Event, voices demanding to sever ties with Jeon emerged from a Telegram group where People Power Party lawmakers gathered.
In fact, Shin Seong-bum, a three-term veteran lawmaker, visited Chairperson Hwang Woo-yeo of the Election Management Commission that day to convey his views on the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Speech Event. He told reporters, "A person who has just recently joined has made things very difficult for the party," adding, "To an outsider, it seems our party lacks discipline and order. I conveyed to (Chairperson Hwang) that I hope nothing like what happened in Daegu-Gyeongbuk occurs again."
Song Eon-seok, chairperson of the emergency response committee and floor leader of the People Power Party, also publicly criticized Jeon during the opening remarks of an emergency response committee meeting that day. Song pointed out, "We can never tolerate actions that disrupt the party's honor and incite division and conflict," emphasizing, "Given that Jeon publicly incited collective jeers and shouting, the severity of the matter is very serious."