Lawmakers condemn Foreign Ministry over scandal

The employment scandal involving the foreign minister’s daughter is spilling over to other government ministries and agencies, raising a rather profound question about the fairness of Korean society, where the rich and powerful are often the subject of public criticism rather than respect. 

The Korea Herald spoke with some members of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee about the nepotism scandal and its repercussions on President Lee Myung-bak’s "fair society" campaign. 

Rep. Hong Jung-wook of the governing Grand National Party said problems which have been growing at the Foreign Ministry for decades -- namely its closed organization and deep-rooted elitism -- have finally blown over. 

“The scandal shows how oblivious the ministry has been to public sentiment,” he said.