Ulsan Council Member Caught Drunk Driving Leaves People Power Party: Were Politicians Drinking With Him?

【Financial News, Ulsan—Reporter Choi Su-sang】 Kim Dae-young, a member of the Ulsan Metropolitan Council who was caught driving after drinking, has left his party, the People Power Party.
According to the Ulsan Metropolitan Council on the 30th, Council Member Kim Dae-young said in an official statement that day, "I sincerely apologize for disappointing and worrying citizens through my wrongful actions."
He added, "As someone who has carried out legislative activities on the basis of citizens' trust, I am taking this matter even more seriously and will reflect more strictly on myself so that I never repeat the same mistake."
In addition, he said, "I have left the People Power Party and will step down from all positions I currently hold within the council." He also stated that he would humbly accept any measures or disciplinary action taken by the council.
At around 9:30 p.m. on the 23rd, the day before the Chuseok holiday, Kim was caught by police conducting a roadside sobriety check while driving under the influence on a road in Dong District, Ulsan.
Kim's blood alcohol concentration was reportedly at least 0.08%, the threshold for license revocation. He also has a previous record of being caught driving under the influence in 2013, when his license was suspended.
He reportedly submitted his party withdrawal form after news of his drunk driving became known in the local community. Police are investigating the circumstances that led Kim to drive under the influence.
Questions are being raised in local political circles about who was with Kim when he was drinking, whether that person was a politician, and why the person allowed him to drive under the influence. If the companion knew that Kim might drive drunk but failed to stop him, the person could be charged with aiding and abetting drunk driving.
Meanwhile, once Kim's withdrawal is processed, the 22-seat Ulsan Metropolitan Council is expected to be reshaped as follows: 14 seats for the People Power Party, six for the Democratic Party of Korea, one for the Progressive Party, and one independent seat.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Council Special Ethics Committee's meeting and whether disciplinary action will be taken are expected to be addressed at the next regular session.
The Ulsan City Party Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea issued a commentary on the matter, saying, "Drunk driving is a gamble played with the lives of our neighbors and children; it puts someone else's life at stake." It urged, "The council member who drove drunk just three months after beginning his term must resign immediately."

[email protected] Choi Su-sang Reporter