South Korea: How much longer can opposition leader Na Kyung-won last?
Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2019, 03:42 PM - Edit history (1)
Na Kyung-won presented herself at the prosecutor's office, November 13. She appeared in response to an inquiry into the disruptive activities of the Liberty Korea Party in April 2019 when she led a "sit down demonstration" in the hallway of the National Assembly building to obstruct the actions of the so called "fast track" committee to consider two issues for expedited legislation during the current legislative session. As previously mentioned here those two issues involved prosecutorial reforms, including the establishment of a prosecution office for investigation of government employee corruption, and legislative reform to increase the number of National Assembly seats to more accurately and democratically reflect the proportional vote for each party in National Assembly elections.
(Source- JTBC News 10.18) National Assembly Broadcast caught the fast track confrontation live on camera while it happened, April 25, 2019.
Press attention in last several weeks has been almost entirely on the reform efforts in the South Korea's prosecution offices state wide including the so called special district offices. But yesterday Na Kyung-won addressed the threat she perceives from the proportional representation fast track bill which she knows will weaken her conservative opposition party's over representation in the National Assembly. The LKP party will lose direct election seats in the Assembly as a result if the reform passes without changes this legislative session. (Elections are upcoming April 15, 2020.) She described the disruption in National Assembly building as peaceful and justified. Further she said that the proportional representation bill was a "power grab" by the incumbent democratic party. Yet, it is likely that smaller political parties other than the ruling democratic party or main opposition Liberty Korea Party stand to benefit more from the reapportionment effort.
(Source- JTBC News 11.14) Lee Byung-oo (left); Na Kyung-won, Conservative Liberty Korea Party National Assembly floor leader (right); Headline upper left "Special Olympics consultant committee member- Lee Byung-oo wasn't recommended."
There may be a colorable defense to the disorderly and obstructive conduct of the Liberty Korea Party inside the National Assembly building in the nature of an immunity defense for actions within the ambit of the legislative role. On the other hand, the suspected involvement of Na in bid rigging certain contracts for the Pyeongchang Winter Special Olympics may present a more formidable legal challenge that leader Na may not withstand.
Recently the political focus was on the alleged corruption of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk who was appointed by Moon Jae-in to spearhead the prosecution reform effort. Cho Kuk was allegedly implicated through his family in improper actions in obtaining a college admission for his daughter and also improper financial transactions through his wife and in-laws.
Under these as yet uncharged suspicions, Cho Kuk was forced out of office by massive street demonstrations led, in part, by Na Kyung-won to exploit public indignation and suspicions of corruption and influence peddling by the reform minded Cho Kuk. Cho Kuk presented on November 14 to the prosecutor's office to answer questions about his alleged involvement in crimes for which his wife has been charged. Cho has consistently complained of the unfairness of the proceedings which allegedly have been characterized by politically motivated leaks from the central prosecutor's office, and mischaracterization in the press of circumstances surrounding his family's actions.
(Source- JTBC News 11.14) Sign- We demand a fair investigation of Na Kyung-won's daughter's corrupt (college) admission. Below- Citizen groups, "Charge Lee Byung-oo too."
Turn about appears to be fair play as Na Kyung-won is now also suspected of corruption in her daughter's college admissions selection process. Na, it is alleged, bid rigged the Special Olympics opening performance direction and art design contract bids to favor a company called Innocean. Allegedly, the company, was recommended for production of opening acts and other performances at the Special Olympics by committee consultants. Lee Byung-oo was a college professor at Seongshin Women's College. Allegedly, it was Innocean that recommended Lee to direct artistic performances. As it turns out this is the very same college professor who happened to give Na's daughter the highest recommendation for college admission at his institution after an admissions interview.
Na had a high profile leadership role in the Pyeongchang Winter Special Olympics as chair of the organizing committee. Na has categorically denied the allegations in public statements but also refused to answer further questions on the subject by reporters. Beyond the underlying allegation of bid rigging, one unidentified witness related to the Special Olympics contract selection process has stated that Na asked her to conceal Na's involvement in the selection process and take responsibility on herself. Allegedly, Innocean was provided advance inside information on the bidding process terms. Innocean is alleged to have had an unfair advantage throughout the tender offer process. Another witness stated that Innocean was virtually unknown in the artistic productions business before it was awarded the Pyeongchang Special Olympics contract. Lee said he was recommended by the subsidiary consultants committee to the Special Olympics Organization Committee. His contention is disputed by at least one member who participated in the recommendation process.