DP Apologizes for Lawmakers’ Round of Golf

DP Floor Leader Won Hye-young

By Kim Sue-young

Staff Reporter

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) apologized for nine of its lawmakers playing golf at an overseas resort on an improper date.

Despite the apology, mounting voices slammed the party, which paralyzed the National Assembly recently by staging a sit-in to block the governing party's possible unilateral passage of some contentious bills.

``Even though it was a short trip and did not overlap with the Assembly schedule, I am sorry that they went on the trip abroad when the legislature faced many pending issues,'' DP floor leader Won Hye-young said.

He said his party will strengthen supervision of it lawmakers.

DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun also urged fellow lawmakers to make an effort not to upset the public.

According to reports, nine DP legislators left for Thailand last Friday for a fraternity meeting. Three of them returned to Seoul Sunday and Monday. They are Reps. Lee Kang-rae, Jun Byung-hun, Woo Yoon-keun, Choe Kyoo-sik, Park Young-sun, Noh Young-min, Park Ki-choon, Yang Seoung-jo and Joo Seung-yong, and were accompanied by family members.

Another Assembly extra session began last Friday as parties failed to pass pending bills due to some contentious issues, such as a motion to ratify a free trade agreement with the United States and media industry-related bills.

Park Ki-choon explained that it was just a private trip, which had been delayed several times.

The governing Grand National Party (GNP) launched a verbal attack on the inappropriate teeing off time.

``Nine DP lawmakers went to Bangkok with their families for a birthday party after they messed up the Assembly with a chainsaw and sledgehammer,'' GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said. ``It is doubtful whether the DP is really working for the low-income bracket.''

GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae launched sarcastic remarks at the opposition lawmakers who played golf in the Southeast Asian country, saying he felt pity for his fellow lawmakers who stayed in Seoul gripped by a cold spell.

The opposition party's web site was also full of criticism from citizens.

On Monday, more than 200 comments from the public were posted on a free board denouncing playing golf.

A netizen, who identified himself Kim Byeong-eun, wrote, ``They must think if they have a brain. The people are having difficulties making a living.''

[출처 : 코리아타임스]