Public disgust over corrupt politicians

Six lawmakers who accepted money from the National Security Guards Association were found guilty of graft on Wednesday. A Seoul court is under fire, however, for merely slapping them on the wrist. Main opposition Democratic Party Rep. Choi Gyu-sik was fined 5 million won (4,200 U.S. dollars), which will force him to forfeit his parliamentary seat, but the remaining five lawmakers – Kang Ki-jung of the Democratic Party; Kwon Kyung-sik, Cho Jin-hyeong and Yoo Jung-hyun of the ruling Grand National Party; and Lee Myung-soo of the minor conservative Liberty Forward Party -- were fined a meager 900,000 won (754 dollars) or given suspended sentences. This is in contrast to sentences handed down to three managing staff members of the security guards association for bribery. They received prison sentences in both lower and higher courts.

In 2009, the association gave 38 lawmakers a combined 383 million won (321,000 dollars) to have them revise the Security Guards Act in an attempt to improve labor conditions. To evade the law, association members bribed the lawmakers in the form of small donations. Prosecutors, however, found that the association was behind the lobbying scandal. Those who received bribes said they were unaware that the money was from the association and denied revising the law in return for legislative lobbying. Judges, however, found that the donations were illegal and related to legislative lobbying.

Lawmakers who violate or enact laws in return for bribes cannot be tolerated. Korean parliamentarians, however, seem to lack a sense of shame and do not reflect on themselves. Rather, they did not hesitate to revise the Political Funding Act to make it easy for them to receive political funds and prevent lawmakers implicated in the lobbying scandal from being punished. In response to a criminal probe, lawmakers also threatened to revise laws to reduce the power of prosecutors.

Korean politicians care more about their own interests and being reelected than for the interests and happiness of the people. As they pursue material gain, politicians remain power brokers and “salaried” and “four-year part-time” lawmakers who do anything but sincerely care for the people.

This is one reason Koreans have turned their backs on politics. The influence of former ruling party leader Park Geun-hye, which has lasted for several years, has recently weakened due to the sudden popularity of former software tycoon Ahn Cheol-soo. The Democratic Party, which has remained the main opposition party over the past six decades, was defeated in its bid to field the unified opposition candidate for Seoul mayor by left-leaning civic activist Park Won-soon, who entered politics a month ago. This is because of the people’s long-standing distrust of and hostility toward politicians. Perhaps this can spur a great awakening among politicians.