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July 15, 2008
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| With the unprecedented arrest of its chairman on Saturday, the incumbent Seoul Metropolitan Council had to cancel a series of planned events as it began the second half of its term yesterday. Having brought him in on the first day of his new job, police yesterday sought a detention warrant for 59-year-old Grand National Party member and council chairman Kim Gui-hwan. He is suspected of giving out 35 million won ($34,791) in bribes to 30 fellow GNP members in the months leading up to his being elected chairman on June 20. Others involved in the bribery scandal are also in line for arrest. The scandal led the Seoul council to cancel ceremonies to inaugurate the second half of its term which had been slated for yesterday. The council’s general meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. yesterday as scheduled, and the heads of nine standing committees were selected. The seventh council opened on July 12, 2006 and its term will end on June 30, 2010. “We will soon arrest all of the 30 members who allegedly received bribes from Kim,” said a police officer who declined to be named. “We are also investigating two more GNP members on suspicion of receiving bribes from Kim.” The Democratic and Democratic Labor parties are calling for the resignation of the new chairman and other city councilors from the GNP who were involved in the scandal. “I was totally shocked to hear about checks changing hands,” said Democratic Party spokesman Choi Jae-sung. “The GNP must deal with this case as soon as possible in accordance with party regulations.” “The Seoul Metropolitan Council has lost its authority due to this bribery scandal,” said Democratic Labor Party city councilor Lee Soo-jung. “How can they speak on behalf of Seoul residents? All of those involved need to resign from their positions and apologize to the public.” Of the 106 council members, 100 are from the GNP. Only six belong to the Democratic and the Democratic Labor parties. By Park Sang-woo Staff Reporter [spark@joongang.co.kr] |
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