Opposition to propose investigation into hiring allegations, corrupt kindergartens

Rep. Kim Sung-tae, center, floor leader of the largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), speaks during a press conference held at the National Assembly to announce three opposition parties agreeing to submit a request calling for a National Assembly investigation into possible “job succession” or illegalities in the hiring processes of public firms, Monday. Left is Party for Democracy and Peace floor leader Rep. Chang Byoung-wan and right is Bareunmirae Party floor leader Rep. Kim Kwan-young. / Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

Three opposition parties plan to submit a joint proposal for a parliamentary investigation into illegal hiring practices at public firms under the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

“More allegations are being raised about irregularities in their hiring process and job succession since nepotism at Seoul Metro was reported,” Rep. Kim Sung-tae, floor leader of the major opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), said during a press conference held by Bareunmirae Party (BMP) floor leader Rep. Kim Kwan-young and Party for Democracy and Peace (PDP) floor leader Rep. Chang Byoung-wan, Monday.

“It is important to conduct an Assembly investigation into the hiring illegalities at public firms. In addition, corruption in private kindergartens needs a thorough investigation. We ask the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to accept our request.”

The opposition parties raised the allegations at the beginning of the National Assembly audit insisting public corporations, including Seoul Metro which is run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, have provided hiring favors to relatives of current and former employees. Critics say the opposition forces are trying to politicize the issue to attract attention to them as they failed to do so during the audit.

The Assembly's standing committees are conducting a government audit on the performance of government agencies.

The Seoul city government said last week it is planning to request the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAI) investigate the possible hiring illegalities in the government on Tuesday.

Rep. Hong Young-pyo, floor leader of the ruling DPK, meanwhile, refuted the opposition parties' allegation saying “don't exaggerate things that never existed.”

Hong added, “It is demagoguery and a low-grade political attack taking no responsibility after disclosing (possibly false) information.”