Lawmakers` rampant SNS in parliament sessions

The conversation on KakaoTalk at the National Assembly`s session hall by first-time parliament member of the main opposition Democratic Party is spreading fast on social networking services. At an interpellation session in the hall, one member was exchanging love messages with a woman, which was caught by a media`s telescopic camera. The conversation began with the woman grumbling to the lawmaker she had a dream that his boyfriend had an affair with another woman who he met on KakaoStory. The lawmaker soothed the woman that she had a silly dream and the two people end the conversation after saying "I love you, darling" to each other. The lawmaker said he was counseling a junior and it isn`t an affair.

The woman used the word "darling" that is usually used to a spouse and the lawmaker said the very word, too. It is a buttery way of saying that it can`t be regarded as a joke. Their conversation spread in a flash on the Internet through KakaoTalk, and gained a flurry of speculation. While major media were hesitating to report this since it is a gossip kind of content, the conversation spread on social networking services such as KakaoTalk and Facebook. This shows how things can go viral so fast in social media.

Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the ruling Saenuri Party was caught in March this year looking at female nude photos through his mobile phone at the National Assembly`s session hall during a meeting to negotiate the revision of government organization bill. Last year, Han Sun-kyo, head of the National Assembly`s culture and broadcasting committee, was caught sending a text message that read, "Pretty, I`m trying not to be too late today." Lawmakers are in the meeting hall but their minds seem to be elsewhere. The latest member in case is a first-time lawmaker who has to put all efforts in parliamentary activity.

It is surprising that lawmakers present in the session hall can be totally insensitive even as dozens of cameras and reporters are closely watching them. How bold they are even as many already have been caught in a camera and fell into contempt. They enjoyed social networking but appear to have failed to realize that it could backfire them. Many schools take mobile phones from students during class. Perhaps the same should be done to parliament members before they enter the session hall.

Editorial Writer Shin Yeon-su (ysshin@donga.com)