Leaders of the People Power Party moved to pressure Rep. Kwon Young-jin to make a voluntary decision on his position, after he clashed over standing committee assignments and grabbed fellow party lawmakers by the collar. The party plans to officially discuss the matter at the Supreme Council meeting on the 27th.
Choi Su-jin, the People Power Party's senior deputy floor spokesperson, met reporters at the National Assembly on the morning of the 26th and said, "Grabbing the collars of former and current floor leaders is something that cannot happen in our party for any reason," adding, "I think it would be right for him to decide his own position." She continued, "It is deeply regrettable even for fellow lawmakers to see," and noted, "Lawmakers believe this matter must be dealt with sternly to prevent a recurrence."
Choi, the senior deputy floor spokesperson, added, "I understand that Rep. Kwon said he would step down as secretary of the Public Administration and Security Committee," and said, "I think it is right for him to decide his own position."
The People Power Party leadership plans to address Rep. Kwon's "collar-grabbing" incident at the Supreme Council meeting on the 27th. Chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon said, "We have received many requests from party members calling for severe punishment," adding, "The party is fully aware, so it is expected to be discussed at the Supreme Council tomorrow (the 27th)."
On the 23rd, Rep. Kwon visited the People Power Party floor leader's office to raise objections to the standing committee assignments and was said to have demanded a move to a different standing committee instead of the Public Administration and Security Committee. During the process, shouting ensued, and the situation escalated into a physical confrontation, including grabbing the collars of Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig and former Floor Leader Song Eon-seok.
As controversy spread within the party, Rep. Kwon issued a statement on the 24th, saying, "My words and actions in the floor leader's office were, regardless of the reason, entirely due to my shortcomings and fault," and added, "I deeply reflect on and apologize for my mistake and wrongdoing." Kwon also reportedly registered unopposed on the 21st as a candidate for the next Daegu City Party chairperson but has expressed that he will not take the post.