Bae Hyun-jin Seeks Reconciliation at First Hearing in Lawsuit Over Voiding of Party Disciplinary Action

At the first hearing of a lawsuit filed by People Power Party Rep. Bae Hyun-jin seeking a ruling that her disciplinary action — a one-year suspension of party membership — is invalid, the court urged both sides to resolve the matter through mutual agreement. On the 8th, the Seoul Southern District Court's Civil Division 15 (Presiding Judge Chan-young Yoon) held the first hearing on the lawsuit Bae filed against the People Power Party to confirm the invalidity of her disciplinary action. Only the legal representatives of both parties attended the hearing.

On February 13, the party's Central Ethics Committee had suspended Bae's party membership for one year on the grounds that she violated a child's human rights by posting a photo of a child — believed to be from an online commenter's family — on social media during an online dispute while serving as the party's Seoul chapter chair. Bae contested this and filed for an injunction to suspend the effect of the disciplinary action, which the court granted on March 5. At the time, the court ruled that "the People Power Party committed a serious flaw of exceeding and abusing its discretion by imposing a disproportionately severe penalty without conducting thorough deliberation on the grounds for discipline," citing the risk of irreparable harm.

At the hearing, the court asked, "Now that the local elections are over, is there any practical benefit in continuing this dispute? Is there room for the defendant to withdraw the disciplinary action and reach a settlement?" Bae's attorney responded that she would "certainly be willing to reconcile if the disciplinary action is withdrawn," while the People Power Party's attorney said the party would check the internal stance of the party leadership.

The court decided that if Bae's side submits a settlement proposal by the 13th, it will issue a recommendation for settlement based on it. If the People Power Party does not file an objection within two weeks of receiving the settlement recommendation, the settlement becomes final. If an objection is filed, the court will hand down a ruling at the scheduled date of November 19 at 2 p.m.

Following the court's grant of the injunction, the disciplinary action against Bae remains suspended until a final judgment is issued in the main civil suit.