Lawmaker sued for alleged exerting of influence for son`s education

Rep. Shin Ki-nam of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy has been accused for allegedly pressuring the law school of his son who failed in graduation exam.

Attorney Bae Seung-hee at Taeil Law Firm filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors` Office on Monday against Shin for alleged forcing, abuse of authority and work disturbance. "This case shows a lawmaker`s extreme bossy act, and is the second `Yoon Hu-deok` case. Shin`s excuse that it was a simple act to care for his son cannot be accepted," Bae says.

The Institute for Fair Opportunity, a civic group, delivered to the main opposition party a document urging Shin to step down and be expelled from lawmaker position. They strongly demanded that the New Politics Alliance for Democracy should apologize to the public and that Shin should immediately step down.

Shin reportedly visited the law school chief as his son recently failed to pass graduation exam at Kyunghee University Law School he`s attending, being disqualified from taking the attorney exam. "I went to the school to understand the situation and get some counsel. There was no more than that," Shin says.

eulius@donga.com