Rep. Choo hired relative, too
By Yi Whan-woo
Rep. Choo Mi-ae
Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) has confessed that she hired one of her relatives as her secretary.
She is among some 20 incumbent lawmakers who have been caught hiring relatives as their aides.
Choo, a five-term lawmaker, wrote on Twitter, Thursday, that an adopted son of her parents-in-law has been working at her office at the National Assembly for four years.
“There is a complicated history of my husband’s family. However, it was the wrong decision to hire him as my secretary,” Choo said. “I truly apologize for this.”
MPK officials said Choo intends to sack her soon.
This case may overshadow her bid to become the party’s new leader, who will be elected in a party caucus in August. She is a major contender.
Another MPK lawmaker, Seo Young-kyo, is now facing a disciplinary measure from the party after it was found that she employed her daughter as an intern at her office between 2008 and 2012 without undergoing relevant procedures.
Other lawmakers caught for hiring their family members and relatives include Park In-sook, Choi Kyung-hwan and Han Sun-kyo, all from the ruling Saenuri Party and An Ho-young of the MPK.
Over 20 secretaries hired by lawmakers have quit since June 21 amid public uproar over nepotism.
“The party members may be influenced by Choo’s behavior in their votes during the MPK’s leadership election,” said Lee Kang-yun, a political commentator.
Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said “The supporters for Choo may change their minds depending on the result of the opinion polls in the future.”
Choo is expected to compete against Song Young-gil, a former Incheon mayor; Shin Kyoung-min, a journalist-turned-legislator; Lee Jong-kul, former MPK floor leader; and Kim Jin-pyo, a four-term lawmaker.
Choo won 20.8 percent of support against Song’s 17.1 percent in a latest survey conducted by pollster Research View on 334 MPK supporters nationwide from June 29 to 30. Shin earned 12.6 percent while Lee and Kim had 9.4 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
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