Ruling party asks scandal-ridden members to leave

The ruling Saenuri Party decided Friday to ask two members to leave the party over an alleged money-for-nomination scandal, an attempt to create a firebreak to stop the scandal from hurting its chances in December's presidential election.

The scandal centers on suspicions that Rep. Hyun Young-hee became a lawmaker on a proportional representation ticket after giving 300 million won ($265,000) to Hyun Ki-hwan, then a member of the party's nomination committee, ahead of April's general elections.

Both have flatly rejected the allegations. The suspicions, if proven true, would deal a serious blow to the party and its leading presidential contender, Park Geun-hye. Park was then chief of the party.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the case.

"We have decided to take necessary measures" including asking the two to leave the party, spokesman Kim Young-woo said after an emergency meeting of the party's Supreme Council. "The reason we made this decision is to create a situation where the prosecution can conduct an investigation in a more thorough and swift manner."

By law, Rep. Hyun will lose her parliamentary seat if she leaves the party voluntarily because she was elected on a promportional representation ticket. Should the party expel her, however, she can keep her seat, the spokesman said.

Earlier Friday, the former election nomination committee member appeared before prosecutors.

"The scandal seriously damaged my honor," Hyun told reporters as he entered the prosecutors' office in the southeastern city of Busan. He also said he "never took money in connection with the party's nomination."

Hyun Young-hee, who also dismissed the allegation as totally groundless, has pledged to appear before prosecutors for questioning, even during a parliamentary session, although she is immune from arrest while the National Assembly is in session. She did not give a specific time frame.

The swift development came as prosecutors looked into the latest bribery scandal, and underscored the party's concerns that the issue, if confirmed, could doom its leading presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye's presidential bid.

Park, a front-runner in opinion polls for the presidential election, has called for a thorough investigation "without a speck of doubt."

Four minor presidential contenders from Saenuri also called for an independent probe and warned they could make a "grave decision" unless party chief Hwang, who played a key role in the nomination process, resigns his position by Saturday to responsibility for the scandal. (Yonhap)