The expulsion of former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon stalled at the Supreme Council's threshold. The move is intended to ensure the Ethics Committee's retrial period, but with Han saying he will refuse a retrial, observers say expulsion is only a matter of time.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 15th, "Until the retrial period, we will not make a Supreme Council decision on the Ethics Committee's decision." There had been speculation that calls for expulsion within the Supreme Council would lead to an immediate vote, but Jang stepped back by giving Han a "retrial period."
Jang ensured a retrial period for Han for procedural completeness. At a news conference at the National Assembly on the 14th, Han pointed out the delayed notice of disciplinary referral and emphasized that "there is a serious procedural illegality." Under the People Power Party's party rules, a request for retrial may be filed with the Ethics Committee within 10 days from the date of receiving notice of the committee's disciplinary decision.
However, Han has already said, "I do not intend to request a retrial from an Ethics Committee that has already made up its mind." If Han does not seek a retrial, the Supreme Council is expected to finalize his expulsion around the 26th, 10 days later. Instead of an Ethics Committee retrial, Han is expected to file for an injunction with the court and continue an outside-the-assembly campaign by meeting party members. Bae Hyun-jin, a People Power Party lawmaker aligned with Han, told reporters after meeting Han at the National Assembly on the 14th, "If the Supreme Council renders a disciplinary decision, an injunction will naturally be filed."
Separately from a court ruling, Han may continue an "outside-the-assembly struggle." As the image forms that "Jang is trying to oust him," Han is expected to expand his support through activities outside the assembly. In particular, Han already has his support group "With Hooni," which could help him "show force."
The People Power Party is likely to fall into severe turmoil due to internal division. Party lawmakers are expected to engage in fierce debate over Han's expulsion at a general meeting on the 15th. Earlier, the first- and second-term lawmakers' group Alternative and Future urged the leadership, via a statement, to overturn the Ethics Committee's expulsion decision. Among senior lawmakers such as Kwon Young-se and Seong Il-jong, there were also voices saying "expulsion is excessive," and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized the party leadership, saying, "Expelling Han Dong-hoon means mutual destruction."