DP Demands Rep. Kim Byung-kee Leave Party Amid 2026 Corruption Scandal

Will he jump, or will he be pushed? According to Yonhap news on January 11, 2026, the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) has officially demanded that former floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee voluntarily leave the party following mounting corruption allegations.

DP Leadership Pressures Rep. Kim Byung-kee to Exit

DP spokesperson Park Soo-hyeon stated that the party is requesting Kim to "deeply deliberate on which path best cherishes the party." This statement is widely interpreted as a final call for his resignation from the party. Insiders suggest that if Kim refuses, the leadership faces growing internal pressure to move toward formal expulsion.

Roots of the 2020 Bribery Allegations

The scandal centers on claims that Rep. Kim Byung-kee received illicit funds from a former local council member in 2020. At the time, he was serving as the secretary of the party's Seoul nomination committee. While Kim resigned his post as floor leader last month as the allegations snowballed, he remains defiant regarding his party membership, stating he won't quit even if faced with expulsion.