[News Today] DP to vote on Kim Byung-kee's expulsion

[LEAD]
The Democratic Party's ethics committee has decided to expel former floor leader Kim Byung-kee, citing the gravity of allegations involving nomination donations and personal misconduct. Kim said he would immediately seek a review of the decision.

[REPORT]
The Democratic Party's ethics committee has decided to expel former Floor Leader Kim Byung-kee, carrying out the harshest disciplinary action.

The decision came after a meeting that lasted nine hours.

Han Dong-soo / Head, DP ethics committee
After reviewing the statute of limitations for disciplinary action and the gravity of the case, we decided to expel him.

Kim personally attended the meeting to defend himself for nearly five hours.

Sources say he strongly denied most of the allegations by saying they were either baseless or had exceeded the party's three-year statute of limitations for disciplinary action.

Kim Byung-kee / Democratic Party
[What did you say in your defense?] I explained my stance diligently.

However, the party's ethics committee has concluded that expulsion is still possible because some of the allegations have not exceeded the statute of limitations yet, such as the alleged acceptance of hotel vouchers from Korean Air and expensive luncheon meeting with the Coupang CEO.

The committee said it also took into consideration the nomination donation allegation.

The Democratic Party plans to receive a report on the disciplinary action at its Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday and finalize Kim's expulsion after obtaining approval from more than half of its lawmakers at the general assembly.

However, the procedure will likely take some time as Kim has vowed to immediately file a request for reexamination after the ethics committee's announcement of its decision.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS