People Power Party Requests Swift Investigation of Park Deokheum... Actively Considering Conflict of Interest Prevention Act

Relieved of Political Burden by Park's Party Defection
Joo Ho-young: "Must Confidently Prove Innocence"
Democratic Party: "Law Must Be Passed Quickly"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 24th, the People Power Party requested a swift investigation into Assemblyman Park Deok-heum and stated that it would actively consider the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act. This incident is expected to accelerate discussions on related bills between the ruling and opposition parties. Park, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, is suspected of receiving preferential contracts for large-scale construction projects from supervised agencies through a construction company registered under his family's name. He resigned from the People Power Party the day before.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "(Assemblyman Park) requested the party to ask investigative agencies for a swift investigation," and added, "The Democratic Party of Korea, cornered by cases involving Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Assemblymen Yoon Mi-hyang, Lee Sang-jik, and Kim Hong-gul, is trying to divert attention by targeting our assemblymen, but we hope they will confidently prove their innocence." He continued, "We will definitely address the issue of conflicts of interest in the National Assembly," and said, "We will organize all conflicts of interest among members assigned to each standing committee and actively consider related legislation."

Initially, the People Power Party leadership planned to form a special fact-finding committee at the party level to conduct an internal investigation, but Park's resignation relieved some political burden. On the 23rd, Park held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "The allegations raised so far are related to me personally, so I thought it was right to relinquish party membership to avoid burdening the party while clarifying the truth," adding, "As an independent assemblyman, I will stand against unfair political attacks and reveal the truth to the end." When asked if he decided to resign after consulting with the party leadership, Park replied, "Absolutely not."

The Democratic Party pressured the People Power Party to promptly pass the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act. On the 24th, Democratic Party Assemblyman Chun Jun-ho said at a policy coordination meeting, "The ruling and opposition parties should join forces to promptly pass the 'Park Deok-heum Prevention Act,' which includes the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act and amendments to the National Assembly Act," and added, "The People Power Party should not let Park's resignation go but should form an internal investigation committee as promised, expel him directly, and refer the case to the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee."

The People Power Party counterattacked by citing cases of conflicts of interest within the Democratic Party. On the 23rd, Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party pointed out on Facebook, "The current chairman of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Democratic Party was the previous minister of a supervised agency. The ruling party's secretary of the Health and Welfare Committee was also the chairman of the National Pension Service, a supervised agency, until earlier this year," and criticized, "At the National Assembly audit, a self-audit occurred regarding actions taken during their tenure as minister and chairman." On the same day, Choi Hyung-doo, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, remarked in a statement, "The assemblyman, a former vice president of a portal company who caused controversy by saying 'Tell Kakao to come in,' is still a member of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, which oversees portals."