A hearing on an injunction filed by Rep. Bae Hyun-jin and former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk to halt the People Power Party ethics committee's disciplinary action was held on the 26th. The two are seen as leading figures in the pro-Han (Han Dong-hoon) faction within the party.
The Civil Agreement Division 51 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Kwon Seong-su) held a hearing starting at 2 p.m. that day on separate injunction requests filed by former Supreme Council member Kim and Rep. Bae to suspend the effect of the disciplinary measures against the People Power Party.
An attorney for Bae said, "(The discipline of Rep. Bae) is not about children's human rights but about securing nomination rights in the local elections," adding it was "discipline lacking legitimacy of purpose."
The attorney added, "Rep. Bae was elected Seoul party chair in Sept. last year by Seoul party delegates, and the term runs until this coming Sept.," saying, "This discipline deprives and shortens the creditor's democratically legitimized term, in violation of the Constitution."
Rep. Bae received a heavy penalty of a one-year suspension of party membership on the 13th for posting a photo of a minor child of an online user who defamed her on social media (SNS). Arguing the discipline was unjust, Bae filed for an injunction to suspend its effect with the Southern District Court on the 20th.
Former Supreme Council member Kim, who was heard separately that day, arrived at the court at 1:30 p.m. and told reporters, "Since the rise of leader Jang Dong-hyuk, the party's ethics committee has degenerated into a tool for purging political opponents."
Kim's side said, "Just as the public can criticize the president, party members can criticize their party," adding, "(The discipline of former Supreme Council member Kim) infringed on freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution and therefore lacks grounds."
Kim received a "recommendation to leave the party" for remarks in media interviews and elsewhere that allegedly insulted the party leadership and members. After failing to submit a withdrawal form, Kim was expelled on the 9th.
Asking both sides to submit materials, the court said they must be filed no later than Mar. 4 and 13, respectively. The court's decisions on the injunction requests by Rep. Bae and former Supreme Council member Kim are expected in early and mid-to-late next month, respectively.