Seoul: The ethics committee of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) announced on Monday that it will convene this week to consider potential disciplinary actions against three lawmakers accused of misconduct.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the committee, which has recently been reinstated as a seven-member panel following a series of resignations due to internal conflicts, plans to issue written inquiries to the involved lawmakers. The panel aims to hear from the lawmakers as early as mid-August before making a decision on any disciplinary measures. The lawmakers under scrutiny include six-term Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae, who is accused of attempting to prevent Rep. Park Duk-hyum from becoming deputy National Assembly speaker by contacting lawmakers from other parties.

First-term lawmaker Rep. Jin Jong-oh is also under review for allegedly supporting independent candidate Han Dong-hoon in Busan's parliamentary race, despite the PPP fielding its own candidate in the June 3 local elections. Additionally, Rep. Kwon Young-jin faces allegations of using violence against PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig during a protest over parliamentary committee assignments last month.

The lawmakers have challenged the committee's move to expedite disciplinary reviews, raising questions about the panel's fairness. Cho has criticized the lack of action on a complaint he filed against party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, accusing him of not taking responsibility for the PPP's defeat in the local elections and requesting his expulsion from the party.

Moreover, Cho has raised concerns about Rep. Jang's use of party funds, highlighting that his trip to the United States before the elections cost approximately 206 million won (US$182,000). He emphasized on BBS radio that if the allegations are true, there are increasing demands for Jang to face disciplinary action for abandoning his post prior to the local elections.

The PPP has refuted these criticisms, stating that the party delegation spent the minimum necessary amount for the trip.