The Democratic Party of Korea has voted to impose a disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion against Rep. Jang Kyung-tae, who recently left the party amid sexual harassment allegations. The decision bars Jang from rejoining the party for five years.
Han Dong-su, chief of the Democratic Party's Ethics Tribunal, said after concluding deliberations at the party headquarters in Yeouido on Tuesday, "We have voted to impose a disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion on Rep. Jang." He added, "This is a case where the member left the party to evade disciplinary action after proceedings had been initiated but before the review process was completed," and said the grounds for discipline were recorded in the party's departure registry.
Han continued, "Because he has already left the party, it is more accurate to say this is a disciplinary action equivalent to expulsion," adding that "the practical effect is identical to expulsion." Under the Democratic Party's rules, a member who leaves the party to evade disciplinary proceedings faces punishment equivalent to expulsion and is barred from rejoining for five years.
Jang was accused of sexually harassing a female aide at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, in October 2024, and has been under police investigation. He also faced disciplinary reviews by the party leader's ethics inspection unit and the party's Ethics Tribunal. After the police investigation review committee announced on the 2nd of last month that "the sexual harassment allegations are substantiated," Jang left the Democratic Party.