<Anchor>



The Democratic Party is discussing whether to discipline Rep. Choi Kang-wook, who is suspected of making sexually harassing remarks.

The discussion has been going on for over three and a half hours, and let's hear the details from a reporter on the spot.



Reporter Kang Cheong-wan and Rep. Choi Kang-wook said that he did not appear today (the 20th), but the story is getting quite long. 



<Reporter> The



Democratic Party Ethics Tribunal has been examining whether or not to discipline Rep. Choi Kang-wook from 4:30 pm.



The meeting was attended by members of the Ethics Tribunal composed of outsiders, including Kim Hoe-jae, chairman of the Democratic Party's legal committee.



Rep. Choi, who is the party, did not appear at the set time, and it is reported that a representative is present and is proceeding with the argument.



Rep. Choi was under investigation ex officio for allegedly making sexually harassing comments to his fellow lawmaker at an online meeting within the party on April 28.



Earlier, on April 26, while waiting for a meeting of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, he is also suspected of making another sexual harassment remark.



Rep. Choi apologized for the first time, but has been explaining that it was a remark that had no sexual meaning.



It is reported that the Ethics Tribunal is careful in making a conclusion as the testimony of eyewitnesses and the explanation of Choi's side are at odds.



The Democratic Party plans to decide whether or not to discipline Rep. Choi as early as today.



<Anchor>



So, the meeting could be over in a few hours as soon as possible. What do you expect to be the conclusion? 



<Reporter>



Prospects on the field are mixed.



First of all, it is said that the fact that Rep. Choi did not appear on time and sent a representative may have played a role in the judgment that there was no real benefit to the call because severe punishment was already expected.



On the other hand, if Rep. Choi's side is claiming innocence and the disciplinary review is prolonged despite the fact that the facts are not complicated, there is a prospect that no disciplinary action will be taken or light punishment will be given.



Former Democratic Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Park Ji-hyeon, who demanded disciplinary action before the local election, wrote on social media this morning that he wanted to prove that the Democratic Party had entered the path of innovation and also pressured Rep. Choi's severe punishment.



(Video coverage: Kim Nam-seong, Video editing: Choi Hye-young)