Ruling party slammed for unfair punishment for members

Rep. Choi Seung-jae, left, deputy floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, and Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, the party's floor spokeswoman, submit a disciplinary action bill to the National Assembly Secretariat, Thursday, against lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, including Rep. Youn Mee-hyang. Youn has been accused of mismanagement of public donations and subsidies provided by the central government and local governments when she was heading a civic group supporting former sex slaves by Japan before and during World War II, before becoming a ruling party lawmaker. Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

Controversy is rising over the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) selective punishment of party lawmakers who have been embroiled in scandals over apparent unethical behavior and in some cases alleged illegal acts.

The party expelled one member for submitting a false report related to property ownership and another could be kicked out over allegations of mismanagement of his former company, but the DPK has remained silent over scandals related to another member indicted by the prosecution recently on much more serious allegations ― fraud, embezzlement and breach of trust.

Last Friday, the DPK expelled Rep. Kim Hong-gul, the youngest son of late President Kim Dae-jung, over allegations that he had falsely reported the amount of property he owns, in violation of the election law.

Earlier this month, it was found that Kim did not report 1 billion won ($863,000) worth of real estate, one of the four properties he owned at the time, to the National Election Commission (NEC) during the election campaign period for this year's April election.

The DPK's ethics inspection body, launched Wednesday, looked into the allegations surrounding Kim in its first case and reached the decision to expel Kim two days later, which was approved by the party's Supreme Council later in the day.

The ethics inspection body is reviewing other lawmaker, Rep. Lee Sang-jik, a two-term lawmaker and founder of budget carrier Eastar Jet. The carrier recently announced massive layoffs amid the deteriorating air travel market situation and the company's financial problems, after a recent deal for the company to be acquired by Jeju Air fell through.

The company's problems included 25 billion won worth of unpaid wages for its employees, and as Lee is believed to be the de facto owner of the company with his family members involved in management, he has been criticized for evading responsibility for the layoffs and failure of the business.

It is widely expected that Lee will face severe disciplinary measures if he is not expelled from the party.

But the ruling party's “quick” decision on Kim and Lee is bringing its own controversy, as the party has yet to reach conclusion on how to deal with Rep. Youn Mee-hyang.

Youn, who led a civic group supporting victims of the Japanese military's sex slavery before and during World War II, has been accused of misusing of public donations and subsidies provided by the central and local governments, and the prosecution recently indicted her on over six charges including fraud, breach of trust and embezzlement.

For the case of Youn, the DPK said it did not see the need to launch a separate investigation by the ethics body as the prosecution has already investigated the case. It only decided to suspend Youn's rights as a party member until the allegations are cleared.

“The son of former President Kim Dae-jung was also expelled from the party only on suspicion, but why is the party keeping Youn Mee-hyang, who is even facing trial after her crimes were confirmed?” said Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, floor spokeswoman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

Kyungnam University professor Kim Keun-sik, who is heading the PPP's branch in Seoul's Songpa-gu, wrote on Facebook, Saturday, “Kim Hong-gul was yet to be investigated by the prosecution and there has been no indictment nor conviction yet … If the DPK applies such a strict standard, shouldn't Youn, who has been accused of fraud and embezzlement, and South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who has been arrested for a violation of election law, have been expelled more quickly?”

Political critic Chin Jung-kwon also criticized the DPK's recent dealing with its members embroiled in scandals over apparent moral failings, saying, that the DPK was trying to evade its greater responsibility for other cases by “sacrificing” Kim Hong-gul.