Saenuri leader seeks to expel Park loyalists this week

By Kim Hyo-jin

In Myung-jin, interim leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, is seeking to expel key loyalists of impeached President Park Geun-hye this week.

The party’s ethics committee, formed by the party leader last Thursday, held its first meeting, Monday, to discuss disciplinary measures against key Park loyalists ― Reps. Suh Chung-won, Choi Kyung-hwan and Yoon Sang-hyun.

“I will finalize personnel reform within this week,” In said in a party meeting, indicating that he will speed up the committee process.

In, a former Christian pastor who took the helm of the party’s emergency panel in December, has pressured core Park followers to leave the party voluntarily to take responsibility for the presidential corruption scandal that led to Park’s impeachment.

But the loyalists have strongly resisted, accusing In of abusing power.

Earlier in the day, the party leader hinted that the ethics committee will inevitably opt for the toughest disciplinary measure.

When asked if measures could include expulsion or recommendation on quitting the party, In said in a radio interview that “such options are not being ruled out.”

If the committee decides to expel the loyalists for having undermined the party’s interests, it needs to secure support from the two thirds majority of 99 Saenuri Party lawmakers.

Considering that many lawmakers are on board with In’s reformist move, the decision, if made, is likely to be approved, party officials said.

Amid the brewing feud between In and Suh, the de-facto leader of the pro-Park faction, about 70 lawmakers have given the new leader full discretion in deciding their fate as a sign of their support.