Seoul: The ethics committee of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) announced on Monday the initiation of a disciplinary process against three lawmakers accused of actions detrimental to the party.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the committee has targeted six-term Representative Cho Kyoung-tae for allegedly attempting to influence lawmakers from other parties to prevent Representative Park Duk-hyum from securing the position of deputy National Assembly speaker. Additionally, first-term lawmaker Rep. Jin Jong-oh is under scrutiny for purportedly backing independent candidate Han Dong-hoon for a parliamentary seat in Busan, despite the PPP fielding its own candidate for the June 3 local elections.

Further controversy surrounds Rep. Kwon Young-jin, who faces allegations of using physical violence against PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig during a protest over parliamentary committee assignments last week. These incidents are expected to exacerbate the existing factional tensions between supporters and opponents of party leader Jang Dong-hyeok.

The ethics committee has outlined several potential disciplinary measures, ranging from expulsion and recommendation to leave the party, to suspension of party membership and formal warnings. Historically, the committee has allowed accused lawmakers to present their defenses before making a final decision, which is anticipated by the end of next month.

Earlier in the day, the PPP's supreme council urged Rep. Kwon to voluntarily resign from the party, threatening severe disciplinary actions, including expulsion, should he fail to comply. "The party leadership agreed unanimously that this is a serious issue that calls for stern punishment," stated PPP chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon following a confidential meeting of the party's supreme council.

The incident involving Rep. Kwon occurred when he, along with several lawmakers, confronted Rep. Jeong over the party's committee chair selections. Kwon reportedly engaged in a heated altercation, shouting and grabbing Jeong by the collar.

Despite the confrontation, Rep. Jeong expressed his commitment to move past the incident and focus on his leadership responsibilities. "I will put all past grievances behind me and fulfill my responsibilities as the floor leader for the livelihoods of the people and the normalization of the country," he assured reporters.

This internal discord follows the National Assembly's recent election of six PPP-allocated standing committee chairs, concluding a prolonged bipartisan standoff over committee formations.