(LEAD) Ex-floor leader of ruling party decides to voluntarily leave party over bribery allegations

▲ Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, waits for the elevator after attending a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 19, 2026, expressing his intention to leave the party over allegations of misconduct, including receiving preferential treatment and abusing his power. (Yonhap)

▲ Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 19, 2026, expressing his intention to leave the party over allegations of misconduct, including receiving preferential treatment and abusing his power. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) ex-floor leader-expulsion

(LEAD) Ex-floor leader of ruling party decides to voluntarily leave party over bribery allegations

(ATTN: UPDATES with lawmaker leaving party; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- The former floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) decided to voluntarily leave the party Monday, a week after the party's ethics panel voted to expel him over allegations of bribe taking and other misconduct.

Rep. Kim Byung-kee submitted a formal secession document to withdraw from the DP earlier in the day, a DP official told Yonhap News Agency by phone, in a move that will spare the party from holding a vote on his expulsion.

His departure comes after the ethics committee decided to expel him last Monday following his refusal to step down despite calls from the party's leadership.

Kim earlier said he would not seek to challenge the panel's decision.

"I decided that I should fully shoulder the burden if there is even the slightest disagreement within the party and any burden on my colleagues because of me," he said during a press conference at the National Assembly. "I will not seek reconsideration and leave the party."

"I will thoroughly cooperate with the investigation and submit all relevant evidence to prove my innocence," he added.

He asked that the party finalize the expulsion at the party's Supreme Council, rather than bring the case to a general meeting of lawmakers for approval.

Under party rules, the expulsion of a sitting lawmaker requires approval by a majority of the party lawmakers.

Kim resigned from the post last month following allegations that he received preferential treatment and abused his power, along with allegations his wife used a city council's corporate card for personal reasons.

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