Rival parties hit for populism over airport plan
Both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) have come under fire for collaborating in pressing ahead with a new airport project in Busan. The project is apparently based on populism to woo voters ahead of the April 7 mayoral by-elections in Seoul and the country s second-largest city.
On Friday, lawmakers of the DPK and the PPP on the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee approved a special bill aimed at constructing a new international airport on Busan s Gadeok Island. The bill is expected to get final approval from the Assembly s plenary session this week. The rival parties should take the blame for engaging in pork-barrel politics in their desperate efforts to win the elections.
Troubled lawmakers leave parties to evade responsibilities
Posted : 2021-01-08 15:50
Updated : 2021-01-10 18:30
Rep. Kim Byong-wook of the main opposition People Power Party, right, speaks to the media at the National Assembly, Seoul, Dec. 30. He left the party, Thursday, following allegations of rape. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun
By Kim Rahn
In just nine months since the 21st National Assembly was inaugurated, six of the 300 elected lawmakers have left their parties or been expelled following allegations of criminal activity or unethical behavior.
Public criticism is growing as decisions to leave or being expelled from their respective parties allow such lawmakers to evade criticism while maintaining the perks of their position as independents. Their respective former parties are also being denounced for allowing these troublesome lawmakers to leave or kicking them out without making the effort to sufficiently investigate allegations of impropriety, which also allows t