Assembly speaker denies involvement in vote-buying scandal
By Na Jeong-ju
National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae denied the allegations that he bribed fellow lawmakers during the governing Grand National Party’s (GNP) 2008 leadership race, Wednesday, rejecting calls from both the GNP and opposition parties for his immediate resignation.
He, instead, apologized to the public for “causing any concern,” saying he would not run in the April 11 general election.
“I don’t know about the case. That’s the only thing I can say,” Park told reporters at Incheon International Airport upon returning from an 11-day trip. “I will take responsibility, if I have to, depending on the result of the ongoing prosecution investigation.”
“I don’t remember the details of the election because it happened four years ago and a series of big elections took place the same year,” said Park, 74, a six-term lawmaker and confidant of President Lee Myung-bak.
Park was elected the GNP chairman at the party’s national convention in July 2008 and remained in the post until September 2009. He left the GNP after being chosen as National Assembly speaker in June 2010.
Parties denounced his attitude in unison. The main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) submitted a resolution to the Assembly late on Wednesday to call for Park’s resignation.
The GNP, now being led by Lee’s political rival and the leading presidential hopeful Rep. Park Geun-hye, also urged him to quit.
“All people want him to act responsibly to clear all the suspicions surrounding him and his aides. He should face the reality,” GNP secretary general Rep. Kwon Young-se said.
Analysts say Park’s resignation is only a matter of time as the GNP is pushing for reform in preparation for the April election and the presidential vote in December.
The prosecution is widely expected to issue a summons soon for the prosecutor-turned-politician over the cash-for-votes scandal as it digs deeper into the case.
On Monday, Ahn Byung-yong, one of the key campaigners for Park during the 2008 race, was arrested for delivering money to GNP members at local campaign offices to seek their support for Park’s bid for chairmanship.
Park’s other aides, including chief policy secretary Cho Jung-man and former secretary Ko Myung-jin, are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in the delivery of bribes to GNP lawmakers.
Park is also facing a separate probe regarding cyber attacks on the website of the National Election Commission and an opposition candidate during the Oct. 26 by-elections.
The GNP and the DUP agreed in principle to designate an independent counsel to look into the crime, in which Park’s former secretary is a key suspect.