The Democratic Party of Korea has voted to impose a disciplinary penalty equivalent to expulsion on 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, chair 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 penalty equivalent to expulsion on Rep. Jang."
"This is a case where the member left the party to avoid disciplinary action after proceedings had been initiated but before the review process was completed," Han said. "The grounds for the disciplinary action have been recorded in the departed members' registry."
Han added, "Because he has already left the party, it is accurate to call this a penalty equivalent to expulsion. The practical effect is identical to expulsion." Under Democratic Party rules, a member who leaves the party to avoid disciplinary proceedings receives a penalty 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 an ethics inspection by the party leader and a disciplinary review by the party's Ethics Tribunal. Jang left the Democratic Party after a police investigative review committee announced on the 2nd of last month that the sexual harassment allegations were substantiated.