DP leader Kim Min-seok orders ethics probe into Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok ordered the party's internal watchdog, the Ethics Inspection Unit, to investigate Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee on the 12th over a controversy surrounding her remarks and conduct. In a notice sent to reporters that day, the party's public affairs office said Chairman Kim takes the series of controversies surrounding Choi's recent remarks and behavior seriously. According to the party, the probe aims to objectively verify the facts and circumstances of the issues raised against Choi and determine whether she violated the party constitution, bylaws, or ethical norms.
The controversy over Choi Min-hee began when it came to light that on November 5, she had referred to photo and video journalists covering the National Assembly as "a pack of hyenas" in a group chatroom for district party members. Choi held a press conference, apologized for the inappropriate expression, and the Korean Photo Journalists Association announced it would file a complaint with police on charges including defamation and insult.
Before the ethics probe was ordered, several media outlets reported that in mid-last month, at a closed-door members' meeting in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Choi had said that "President Lee Jae-myung opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol when he was party chairman" and that "the position was to try to work toward stepping down." Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential secretary for press affairs, issued a notice about an hour and a half after the reports, expressing regret and saying the claims were groundless. Choi responded in a statement, arguing that part of the closed meeting had been distorted when leaked to the media, ignoring the context of the conversation, and explained on Facebook that the president had consistently argued for and pushed through Yoon's impeachment since the insurrection.
The ruling party leader's direct order for an ethics investigation into a member of the party's top leadership is seen as a sign that the party takes seriously concerns that the controversy could damage its image and fuel internal strife among the ruling bloc. The outcome of the probe and the progress of the photo journalists association's complaint are expected to broaden discussions on ethical norms within the party.
