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| Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae attends a Cabinet meeting at the Seoul Government Complex, Tuesday. / Yonhap |
By Park Han-sol
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) intends to propose a revision bill aimed at preventing attempts to exercise undue influence in military service affairs.
The bill comes amid a scandal involving Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and her alleged abuse of power to help her son get preferential treatment during his time in the service, when she was head of the now ruling party.
PPP Rep. Ha Tae-keung said Tuesday he would propose the revision to the Improper Solicitation and Graft Law, more popularly known as the Kim Young-ran Act.
Currently the relevant articles of the anti-graft law prohibit people from requesting illegal favors in procedures related to military service, such as physical examination, assignment to a unit or appointment to a position.
Ha pointed out that the articles make such a request punishable only when it is accepted and actually leads to the illegal act.
In the revision, the lawmaker will propose a change to make even attempted influence peddling punishable― meaning a person making such a request through phone calls or other means will be liable regardless of whether or not the solicitation was accepted.
The bill also calls for stronger action to be taken against violators. Currently the maximum punishment is up to a 30 million won ($25,000) fine, but the bill would make it possible to also sentence violators to a prison term of up to three years.
"Recently, it was revealed that a high-ranking government official and her aides exerted their influence on military service affairs from unit assignment to requests for leave of absence involving the official's son, sparking controversy," Ha said, referring to Choo's case.
"The current anti-graft act does not properly reflect the public's need for upholding fairness, especially in regards to compulsory military service, a duty that is imposed on a majority of the people."
