(C) MBC

The internal crisis of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has reached a critical juncture as veteran lawmaker Park Jie-won called for the immediate expulsion of former Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki. Amid allegations of accepting illegal funds in exchange for political nominations, Park emphasized that the party must prioritize institutional survival and the success of the President Lee Jae-myung administration over personal loyalty.

"Expulsion is the Only Way to Save the Party"
Appearing on MBC's "News Oijeon" on the 7th, Representative Park Jie-won delivered a stern message to the party leadership. While acknowledging his deep personal bond with Kim—referring to him as a "beloved younger brother" and former colleague from the National Intelligence Service—Park argued that the party cannot afford to wait for the Central Party Ethics Tribunal's scheduled discussion on the 12th.

"I am speaking with tears in my eyes, but he must be expelled from the party now," Park stated. He urged Party Representative Jung Chung-rae to take immediate action, asserting that "sacrificing the horse to save the general" (Eupchammasok) is the only way to restore public trust. Park noted that while he personally believes in Kim’s innocence, the mounting suspicions involving aides and financial transactions have reached a point where public explanation is no longer sufficient.

Growing Allegations and the Call for Police Investigation
The scandal stems from allegations that Kim Byung-ki overlooked a 100 million KRW nomination bribe involving former lawmaker Kang Sun-woo. Additionally, a petition surfaced alleging that Kim himself received 30 million KRW ahead of the 2020 general election. The controversy has even touched the Blue House, with claims that the petition was delivered in late 2023 to Kim Hyun-ji, then an aide to Lee Jae-myung and current Blue House secretary.

Park also expressed frustration over the investigation's progress, mentioning Seoul City Councilor Kim Kyung, who fled to the United States shortly after being accused of providing funds to Kang Sun-woo. "The police failed to impose a departure ban, and he left for America," Park remarked, though he added he expects a voluntary return.

A Test of Leadership and Political Survival
The situation is complicated by Kim Byung-ki’s refusal to resign voluntarily. Kim previously stated that while he may face expulsion, he would not leave the party by his own hand. In response, Park stressed that if voluntary withdrawal is refused, Representative Jung Chung-rae must exercise his authority to expel him to prevent "systemic error" and protect the party's image.

"The party must live, and President Lee Jae-myung must succeed," Park concluded. "At this moment, no medicine will work. If he does not leave, expel him and demand a rigorous police investigation. This is the only path to save the Democratic Party." As the DPK prepares for its official disciplinary meeting on the 12th, the pressure on the leadership to take preemptive action continues to build, signaling a potential purge of key figures to mitigate political fallout.

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