[Exclusive] Spending 10 Million Won Alone on a US Business Trip 10 Days Before Term Ends [Leaking Donations]⑤

Jiseongho "Urgently Visited Due to North Korean Human Rights Issue"
"Invited," but Expenses Covered by Donations
Flew Business Class and Stayed at 5-Star Hotel
Must Be Careful with Overseas Trips at End of Term

Editor's NoteThe reason for abolishing district parties in the past was due to illegal political funds. Recently, the two major parties have been pushing for the revival of district parties. A prerequisite for the revival of district parties is transparent use of political funds. What is the actual situation? Asia Economy requested information disclosure from the National Election Commission and regional election commissions and secured six months' worth of accounting reports before the expiration of the terms of 144 members of the 21st National Assembly. These individuals are now former lawmakers. Based on the secured data, we prioritized verification items by examining the appropriateness of expenditure purposes and usage locations. We confirmed with the parties involved and the election commission, and also conducted on-site reporting. We also uncovered the reality that the election commission does not properly verify accounting reports. We focus on verifying and reporting on the use of sponsorship funds by lawmakers near the end of their terms. ① Spending millions of won on office supplies at a kimchi factory logistics warehouse ② Using funds for meals at wine bars, hotels, and famous restaurants in Gangnam... 'Meetings = Gourmet tours?' ③ Retirement pay is illegal... 'Retirement consolation money' is legal ④ Large-scale holiday gifts to lawmakers with political funds ⑤ Spending 10 million won 10 days before term expiration on a solo trip to the United States

Former lawmaker Ji Seong-ho, originally from North Hamgyong Province, took a business trip to the United States ten days before the expiration of his term in the 21st National Assembly. He visited Washington D.C. at the private invitation of the International Republican Institute (IRI), a think tank affiliated with the U.S. Republican Party. Despite being invited, Ji personally covered most expenses, including airfare, accommodation, and meals, using his sponsorship funds.

Former National Assembly member Ji Seong-ho, a defector from North Korea and Governor of Hamgyeongbuk-do, returned from a business trip to the United States ten days before the end of his term in the 21st National Assembly. Although he was invited, Ji personally covered most of the expenses, including airfare, accommodation, and meals, using his own sponsorship funds. Getty Images

According to the "21st National Assembly Member Ji Seong-ho's Accounting Report of Income and Expenditure Before Term Expiration," obtained by Asia Economy through an information disclosure request from the National Election Commission, Ji purchased his U.S. business trip airline ticket on April 30 using the sponsorship donation account. The ticket, bought from Korean Air, cost 9,311,200 KRW and was for the highest seat class within business class.

Ji prepaid 1,734,993 KRW for accommodation in the U.S. and made an additional payment of 624,305 KRW. Staying at the five-star Watergate Hotel, it appears Ji upgraded his room upon arrival. Meal expenses were exclusively charged to the sponsorship donation account at "Kingbird," a restaurant inside the Watergate Hotel. On one day, he spent 158,395 KRW, and on another day, 488,944 KRW. The difference in amounts suggests he had companions on some occasions.

During his visit to the U.S., Ji reportedly met with major think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, Hudson Institute, Heritage Foundation, and key departments of the State Department to discuss U.S. policy toward North Korea after the presidential election and North Korean human rights issues.

Overseas trips by lawmakers near the end of their terms are always controversial. There are criticisms that defeated lawmakers push through overseas trips, wasting taxpayers' money. The 21st National Assembly was no exception. Around May, one month before term expiration, lawmakers traveling abroad to various regions such as Switzerland, Austria, Uruguay, Argentina, and Tanzania sparked controversy. There was even a case where ruling and opposition members of the National Assembly Pension Reform Special Committee planned a trip for last-minute agreement but canceled it abruptly due to worsening public opinion.

Since sponsorship funds must be used almost like taxes, taking a U.S. trip while spending sponsorship funds with little time left in the term can be controversial. Moreover, in Ji's case, although he was invited by the U.S. Republican side, it is somewhat puzzling that he paid the expenses himself. Regarding this, Asia Economy emailed the International Republican Institute (IRI) on the 15th (Korean time) asking about the circumstances of Ji's invitation and whether they covered the costs, but as of the 20th, no response had been received. Ji explained, "I was not reimbursed for the trip expenses by the institution," adding, "I went urgently due to issues related to North Korean human rights."