Unexpected hurdle of corruption scandal probe: inept lawmakers

Lawmakers talk during the fifth round of the parliamentary hearing over the Park Geun-hye scandal at the National Assembly on Thursday. / Yonhap

By Kim Bo-eun

Criticism against lawmakers flooded in after the fifth National Assembly hearing into the scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil, Thursday.

Lawmakers failed to get any concrete evidence to nail down former presidential aide Woo Byung-woo, one of the key suspects who was allegedly involved in various acts of corruption.

The lawmakers did not immediately question Woo, the main witness for the hearing, but spent several hours arguing over allegations that Rep. Yi Wan-young of the ruling Saenuri Party ordered witnesses at former hearings to commit perjury.

During the hearing, Woo, occasionally smirking at the toothless questions from lawmakers, defended himself effectively, while lawmakers threw clueless questions and allegations without substantial data and facts.

Watching the argument broadcast live, citizens expressed disappointment and disgust at the lawmakers.

They said the Assemblymen were unqualified and ill-prepared for the hearing, and failed to address the proper questions to witnesses.

“The lawmakers had time to prepare for the hearing, after seeing how other lawmakers earlier failed to effectively carry out their role,” said Kim Sae-bom, a 27-year-old in Seoul. “However, they made fools of themselves in front of Woo — it was really embarrassing to watch.”

“Lawmakers should prepare for the hearing thoroughly so that they can have the upper hand in front of the witnesses, but it just seems to be the opposite,” said another with the ID kongju10301. “It is pathetic that the lawmakers are just sitting there shouting at the witnesses.”

Internet users also posted writings critical of the lawmakers.

A blogger with the ID Nero said, “This is a hearing for the Assembly’s investigation into the scandal, not a place for Yi to refute suspicions raised against him. Isn’t it time he was ousted?”

After the fourth hearing, Dec. 15, some local media reported that Yi had met with figures of the K-Sports Foundation controlled by Choi prior to the hearing, including foundation head Chung Tong-choon and other workers, and told them to lie about a tablet PC, which is considered key evidence that shows Choi was interfering in state affairs.