Kwon Young‑jin hand‑grip scandal prompts severe discipline in South Korea

People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young‑jin physically grabbed the neck of party floor leader Jeong Jeom‑sik during a dispute over committee assignments. The incident sparked a civil‑society complaint that led to a police report accusing Kwon of assault, coercion and abuse of authority.

Party leadership has convened an emergency ethics committee and announced a consensus to impose the highest possible disciplinary measures, including a recommendation for Kwon’s voluntary resignation and, if he refuses, expulsion from the party. Senior spokesperson Park Seong‑hoon said the matter cannot be settled by a personal apology alone. Kwon later posted an apology, withdrew his candidacy for the Daegu city party chair, and resigned from his committee secretary post. Floor leader Jeong Jeom‑sik stated he will set the episode aside and focus on his duties.