[Editorial] Supporting Tax to DPA Is Problem

Democracy Promotion Association that was inaugurated early this year again, displaying unification of democratic power is appointed as `authorized fund group`, however, it is hard to understand.

In particular, it can be a factor of political misunderstanding as personnel`s who are related to big unification of democratic power, which candidate Roh Moo-Hyun of MDP is insisting recently, are taking part in this group.

Authorized fund group was appointed by Minister of Finance and Economy among recommended public groups by chief of concerned minister, and if people donate fund to those groups, government gives benefits in tax like 5 percent of income of company and 10 percent of income of individual, therefore, collecting donation is easy.

There is no one to object grant of such benefits to public group that work for social advantage of public.

As Enforcement Ordinance of corporation tax law mentions, Social welfare, culture, art, education, religion and charitable organizations will come under law.

We think that it is problem for DPA to be included in some range.

Of course we can`t ignore achievements of our nation in the past.

However, current DPA is just friendly and social gatherings of some politicians in order to commemorate and honor past activities.

Supporting tax to such organization means that national tax is getting deducted.

Saying differently, it means to give profit of tax for gatherings of current and the then members.

It is not rationale to give benefits for just politician`s gatherings that is away from public benefits according to the basic purpose of related law.

It is anachronistic to weigh on one side, dividing the world into democracy and anti-democracy.

The reason why criticism is being raised on candidate Roh`s insistence, that stresses on unifying democratic power again, is also due to aforesaid.

In this point, why does government want to give preference to DPA?

This contradicts the mind that President told to keep political neutrality on withdrawing from the ruling party.

The decision of ministry of Finance and Economy that appointed DPA as authorized fund organization should be re-considered.