[Editorial] Lawmakers’ Excesses Are Reminder of Past

It has been known that some lawmakers of Science, Technology, Information, and Telecommunications Committee in the National Assembly conducting administrative inspections on seven Daejeon-area research institutions were charged with receiving inappropriate hospitality at high-end hostess bars on October 22. Revelation that such stereotyped corruption is still commonplace is startling in itself but it raises the question about their fitness in the current time setting. The 17th National Assembly thus shoulders the responsibility of shedding this latest dirt to tarnish its image.

The 4,000,000-won bill incurred by their indulgences included the services of hostesses and high priced alcohol. Two of the officials reportedly left the scene accompanied by female partners. These conscience-deprived politicians are due for reprimands.

The lawmakers reportedly requested that they be accommodated in remote and private facilities to avoid run-ins with reporters or other acquaintances. They have no souls.

Despite the expense allowances for food and lodging at their disposal, the inspectors burdened the institutions with their exorbitant amenities. Considering their aides and the legislative researchers taking part in the investigation, the cost for each night was in excess of 10 million won. The investigation report targeting these research institutions, which were coerced into providing such excessive hospitality, raises questions about the professional conscience.

Administrative investigations by the National Assembly seek to instill a sense of integrity among government affiliates; yet reports of corruption such as these further detract from the public image of the Assembly, which has already been damaged by election-driven internal conflicts. Furthermore, stories implicating their staff of corruption add support to the suggestion for their discontinuance.

In turn, a health check on the soundness of the committee’s operation is in order, if only to eliminate the worst of its membership and ensure the future credibility of the findings of the investigations they conduct.