On September 9, the Democratic Party of Korea announced the expulsion of Kim Hee-soo, the mayor of Jin-do County, following his problematic remarks about importing women from Vietnam and Sri Lanka. This decision came just five days after Kim made the controversial statement during a live town hall meeting in Haenam. The party's chief spokesperson, Park Soo-hyun, confirmed that the expulsion was unanimously supported by all members of the Supreme Council, underlining that the comments constituted a significant disciplinary issue within the party.

During the town hall meeting held on February 4, Kim suggested that legislative measures should be introduced to address South Jeolla Province's population dwindling by proposing the importation of young women from foreign countries as potential brides for local men. His comments sparked immediate outrage, considered not only demeaning to women but also reflective of gender and racial biases. Following the outcry, calls from within the party intensified, urging Kim to resign from his mayorship.

The Democratic Party's National Women's Committee issued a statement condemning Kim's remarks, emphasizing that the descriptions of foreign women as commodities represent serious violations of human rights and gender equality. They demanded his resignation, asserting that as a local leader, Kim has a responsibility to uphold the values of human rights and gender equality in his community. This incident highlights ongoing societal discussions in Korea regarding immigration, gender roles, and the treatment of women in public discourse.