Lawmakers of the liberal main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and even those belonging to the business-friendly ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) seek to summon heads of the country s leading conglomerates to the National Assembly audit next month as witnesses, according to industry officials and media reports, Friday. Their plans have caused concerns among the business community again about the possibility of the lawmakers questions embarrassing businesspeople in the public audit sessions.
Rep. Noh Woong-rae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) seeks to summon CEO David Song of SCK Company, which was formerly Starbucks Coffee Korea, and Kurly CEO Sophie Kim to the National Assembly audit next month as witnesses for the Environment & Labor Committee, the lawmaker s office said, Wednesday. Once the committee members agree to summon them, Song will be questioned about a carcinogen detected in the coffee shop chain s giveaway picnic bags, while Kim will be asked to answer allegations that her company blacklisted some temporary workers at its logistics centers in order to fire them.