<Anchor> 



The Democratic Party Ethics Judge imposed a severe disciplinary action on Rep. Choi Kang-wook, who caused a scandal over allegations of sexual harassment, by suspending his party membership for six months.

It is the second heaviest disciplinary action after expulsion, and the remarks were inappropriate, and after that, he denied the allegations and inflicted psychological pain on the victims, raising the level of disciplinary action. 



First, reporter Kang Min-woo reports. 



<Reporter> 



The Democratic Ethics Judge's disciplinary review of Rep. Choi Kang-wook, which ended at 9:30 pm on the 20th. 



The conclusion was unanimous, which resulted in a 6-month suspension of party membership. 



On April 28, at an online meeting with the party's judiciary committee members, he said that he had taken into account the inappropriate remarks he made while female aides were in attendance and the fact that he continued to deny in the process of clarification and inflicted psychological pain on the victims. 



Rep. Choi has denied the allegations, saying that it is "another remark that has no sexual meaning." 



[Kim Hoe-jae / Democratic Party Legal Chairperson (Ethics Judge): Comprehensively (considered) the fact that the party had a huge impact inside and outside the party, and that the Emergency Response Committee requested an ex officio investigation from the Ethics Tribunal of the Central Party in consideration of the gravity of the matter.] 



Suspension of party membership is the second highest level of disciplinary action after expulsion under the Democratic Party Constitution. 



As he cannot hold office during the period of disciplinary action, he cannot immediately run for office as party leader or top member at the August National Convention. 



You can run for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 general election, but you will receive points deducted during the nomination process. 



Rep. Choi has yet to comment on the results of the disciplinary action. 



[Choi Kang-wook / Democratic Party member (last night): (Do you deny the sexual harassment remarks….) Did the results come out?

I do not know the result.] 



The Democratic Party is expected to receive a report on the disciplinary case of Rep. Choi at the emergency response committee meeting tomorrow. 



Woo Sang-ho, the chairman of the non-commissioning committee, said, "I think it is a harsh punishment in my personal opinion," but said, "I will listen to the opinions of the non-commissioned members." 



(Video coverage: Kim Heung-gi, Video editing: Kim Jin-won CG: Shim Soo-hyun)



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