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Concerning the revelation that Uri Party leader Shin Ki-nam¡¯s father served as a Japanese MP during the Japanese colonial rule, his possible resignation has emerged as a hot issue, as from inside and outside the party, widespread opinion is that it is more problematic that Shin hid the truth about his father's record despite knowing about it.
The Uri Party chairman has rejected the ¡°immediate resignation request,¡± saying, ¡°It is not a matter on which I can lightly make a decision. I will listen to public opinion and discuss it with party members.¡± In regards to some Uri Party lawmakers and opposition parties¡¯ claim that he hid his father¡¯s record of serving as a Japanese MP, Shin said during a press conference in Ulsan on Tuesday, ¡°I have not intentionally hidden the fact. I have thought that it would be revealed someday. I will reveal all I have to and I will account for what I have to.¡±
Uri Party representative Ahn Young-keun argued in an interview with a broadcaster, ¡°Chairman Shin has deceived the public by hiding and lying about his father¡¯s activities during the Japanese colonial era. He has to be held responsible for it as soon as possible and he is not qualified to pursue a career as a politician.¡± Within the ruling party, a view is spreading that Shin¡¯s concealment is more problematic than his father's record itself. Seemingly, the resignation issue will be decided in two or three days.
Uri Party floor leader Chon Jung-bae turned down the suggestion of Shin¡¯s resignation that day, saying, ¡°Chairman Shin should not become a victim of the guilt-by-association system just because his father was an MP during the Japanese colonial period. It is also inappropriate to ask him to take responsibility, because he has not actively tried to hide or lie about it.¡± Uri Party lawmaker Moon Hee-sang also said, ¡°I think that chairman Shin has not done any unforgivable wrongdoings.¡±
(Park Doo-sik, dspark@chosun.com )
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