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

According to Yonhap News Agency, the committee's press release following a plenary session detailed the decision to discipline six-term lawmaker Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae. Cho allegedly attempted to prevent Rep. Park Duk-hyum from being elected as deputy National Assembly speaker by making phone calls to lawmakers from other parties.

Additionally, first-term lawmaker Rep. Jin Jong-oh was reported to the committee for allegedly endorsing independent candidate Han Dong-hoon in the southeastern city of Busan for a parliamentary seat ahead of the June 3 local elections, despite the PPP fielding its own candidate.

Rep. Kwon Young-jin faces criticism for allegedly using violence against PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig during a protest against parliamentary committee assignments last week. The confrontation has led the PPP's supreme council to request Kwon's voluntary departure from the party, with the possibility of expulsion should he refuse, as stated by a party official.

PPP chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon informed reporters after a closed-door meeting of the party's supreme council that the leadership unanimously agreed on the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the need for stern punishment.

The incident involving Rep. Kwon occurred during a visit to Jeong's office, where Kwon reportedly shouted and grabbed Jeong by the collar in protest of the party's selection of committee chairs.

Rep. Jeong expressed his intention to move past the incident and focus on his responsibilities as floor leader. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling his duties for the well-being of the people and the normalization of the country.

The protest emerged following the National Assembly's election of chairs for six standing committees allocated to the PPP, after a prolonged bipartisan deadlock over the committee formation.