The Democratic Party of Korea Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province chapter handed down a one-year suspension of party membership to Chuncheon City Council member Kim Ji-suk, who is being investigated by police on suspicion of causing a disturbance at a local police substation while intoxicated.
According to the Democratic Party's Gangwon chapter on the 30th, the chapter's ethics tribunal held a meeting that day and resolved to impose a one-year suspension of party membership on Kim.
A one-year suspension of party membership is the second-highest level of severe disciplinary action after expulsion. If Kim objects to the decision, Kim can file for a retrial.
Kim is suspected of failing to pay a taxi fare on the night of the 28th, going to the Hupyung police substation in Chuncheon with the taxi driver, and causing a disturbance by hurling insults at officers while intoxicated.
Kim also reportedly went to a police substation late last year after drinking and failing to pay a taxi fare, and caused a disturbance by invoking the status of a city council member. Although the Chuncheon City Council's special ethics committee recommended measures to prevent a recurrence at the time, Kim is facing another police investigation for a similar incident after about four months.
City council members from the People Power Party held a news conference in the city hall briefing room that day and said, "If someone, while intoxicated, harmed a taxi driver and police officers and obstructed the normal duties of public authority, would that person have the standing to speak of law and principle to citizens?"
They added, "A city council member is a public official who, representing citizens, oversees the executive branch, and the role demands responsibility, ethics, and dignity," and "Acts by an elected official that cause inconvenience or harm to them or obstruct their work cannot be justified for any reason."
The Chuncheon Citizens' Solidarity also said in a statement that day, "This issue goes beyond one council member's conduct and concerns the ethics and accountability of local councils," and added, "Maintaining dignity and self-restraint by public officials is not a choice but a basic duty that local council members, who are entrusted with authority by citizens, must uphold."