The problems surrounding each party's selection of candidates for regional elections May 31 are reaching serious levels. All sorts of illegal activates are taking place during this process, and the situation can be ignored no longer, because it threatens the basic spirit of grassroots democracy. The politicians are trampling on their own promises to reform political parties, because the bribery is taking place all over the country as local party committees choose their candidates.
We understand how part of the overheated competition for nominations leads to a lot of negativity. But the "candidate business" so rampant at all levels, from the most basic neighborhood positions to mayoral candidates, that it might as well be a modern variety of putting public office up for sale. Now that even the lowest-level elected positions are paid positions you hear rumors of tens of millions of Won being passed around, an indication of how seriously corrupted the process has become. It will all inevitably lead to corrupt local politics.
The bribery is particularly shocking because it is occurring despite ruling and opposition party reforms that include handing over nominating authority to city and provincial parties. It confirms the fact that determination on the part of political parties will not be enough to achieve election reform, and it shows you how deep the corruption is. Not that there should be a return to rule by national party committees, because that would go against the tide of history and risk a return to authoritarianism.
We call on the prosecution, the police, and local and national election commissions to get to work on the corruption and prosecute cases where appropriate and without prejudice as to party affiliation. Everyone who is exposed must be judged by the law.
The Hankyoreh, 28 March 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Fight Corruption in Candidate Selection Process |
