Kwon Seong-dong: "Civic Groups Colluding with Democratic Party... If Funded by Taxes, They Return Political Support"

Through Thorough Audits, Root Out Corruption and Decay in Civic Groups

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party's strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 16th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the 16th strongly criticized, saying, "Civic groups have degenerated into government-affiliated organizations and political reserves."

At the floor strategy meeting held that day, Floor Leader Kwon pointed out, "Since the enactment of the Nonprofit Private Organization Support Act during the Kim Dae-jung administration, civic groups have been receiving financial and administrative support from the government," adding, "As a result, civic groups have increased dramatically, but they have not matured qualitatively compared to their quantitative growth."

He continued, "They even colluded with the Democratic Party of Korea," and criticized, "When power supports civic groups with taxes, the civic groups repay with political support."

He stated, "Even now, thorough audits must be conducted to root out corruption and degeneration in civic groups," and mentioned, "President Yoon Seok-yeol also pledged in a brief message to fully recover illegal profits from civic groups." He emphasized, "The National Assembly is in the settlement season. Ministries with many cases of civic group support, such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, need thorough inspections."

Furthermore, Floor Leader Kwon said, "The National Assembly is preparing for the settlement review," and added, "Since the financial burden is forced for the time being, wasteful expenditures must be thoroughly eradicated." To this end, he requested each standing committee to focus on inspecting ideologically biased projects and interest cartel projects.