Democratic Party Rep. Kim Byeong-ki has been referred to the Ethics Council and received a dismissal ruling over allegations including accepting donations for nominations and misusing spouse's business promotion funds. The Ethics Council's expulsion decision was based on cases of receiving Korean Air lodging vouchers and expensive Coupang meals where the statute of limitations for disciplinary action had not expired. Rep. Kim has announced immediate plans to file a retrial request, and if accepted, the plenary vote on his expulsion is expected to be postponed. Within the party, growing concerns over the prolongation of Kim's controversy have led to discussions about the possibility of party leader Jung Chung-rae exercising emergency disciplinary powers.
