People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik said Monday that "disciplinary action against lawmakers must be handled cautiously," in response to the party's Central Ethics Committee launching disciplinary proceedings against lawmakers. The remarks are seen as effectively putting a brake on PPP leader Chang Dong-hyeok, who is facing calls to resign and has hinted at possible disciplinary measures against reformist lawmakers within the party.
Meeting with reporters after attending a debate on "The Economic Effects of Inheritance Tax Reform" held at the National Assembly members' office building that day, Jeong responded to questions about the ethics committee's disciplinary process. "It has only been announced so far, and nothing has been decided about how the actual process will proceed, so it is difficult to say anything," he said, adding, "Disciplinary action against lawmakers must be handled cautiously."
Earlier, as calls for his resignation continued within the party, Chang had targeted reformist lawmakers, saying, "It is time to give some kind of conclusion to the disciplinary requests that had been postponed until after the local elections." The party's Central Ethics Committee subsequently decided to hold a plenary meeting on the 6th to review the disciplinary requests received so far. Observers say the likely targets will be pro-Han lawmakers who helped the election campaign of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon.
Voices within the party leadership have also called for a more measured pace. Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won said that day, "The disciplinary situation had some influence on the internal strife and discord within the party before the local elections," adding, "Since internal conflict could grow this time as well, wouldn't it be good to make a comprehensive review before deciding?"
Recently, assessments have emerged within the party that Chang's presence has weakened as Jeong expands his influence, including by leading policy appointments. It was confirmed that day that two-term lawmaker Park Soo-young has been tapped as the PPP's policy committee chairman. The policy committee chairman is set to be formally appointed after approval by a general meeting of lawmakers. As the position requires close coordination with the floor leader, Jeong is known to have led the selection and personally persuaded Park, who had been hesitant.
Amid this, some analysts suggest that Chang's standing is narrowing further as even Han Dong-hoon grows his presence within the party. The mood among lawmakers who had shown strong aversion to Han is also assessed to have softened compared to before. Regarding Chang's hint at disciplinary action, Han criticized, "Both the public and the press know how strange this is, so there is no need to mention it further," adding, "It seems they are creating noise to somehow fight with me in order to survive." He continued, "It is regrettable that such forces are leading conservative politics, and that is exactly why a rebuilding of conservatism is absolutely necessary."
