The ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced Wednesday its decision to expel Rep. Lee Choon-suak following public outrage over allegations of unauthorized stock trading using a borrowed name.
The announcement comes just a day after Lee voluntarily withdrew from the party amid controversy sparked by a press photograph that showed him trading stocks on his mobile phone using an aide’s account. The incident dealt a blow to the government’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency in the stock market as part of its broader economic reform agenda.
“I understand the public’s deep concern over the allegations against Rep. Lee,” said DP leader Jung Chung-rae during a Supreme Council meeting. “As party leader, I am profoundly sorry and ashamed that this occurred so soon after I assumed office.”
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung explained that the party had initially planned to expel Lee through internal disciplinary proceedings. However, Lee’s abrupt resignation temporarily halted that process. Despite his departure, the DP will proceed with formal expulsion procedures—a move that will effectively bar Lee from rejoining the party in the future.
Under party regulations, members under investigation who resign in an apparent effort to evade disciplinary measures may still be subjected to equivalent sanctions, including expulsion, through the party’s ethics committee.
“President Lee Jae-myung and the administration have pledged to hold anyone accountable for misconduct related to stock trading,” Jung stated. “We will ensure that similar violations are strictly punished moving forward.”
In the wake of Lee’s departure, the DP has appointed six-term lawmaker Choo Mi-ae to lead the National Assembly’s powerful Legislation and Judiciary Committee. This committee plays a pivotal role in vetting bills before they are brought to the Assembly floor for a final vote.
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