Lawmakers Want Video Gambling Apology

On August 23, the ruling party held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to address the recent gambling issue. Floor leader Kim Han-gil said, “Gambling games have spread throughout the nation, racketeering people’s money. The government should make an official apology to the public for its policy failure.”

Also, Kim Geun-tae, the chairman of the Uri Party, said, “’Sea Story’ has already inflicted indelible scars on the public. It is sure that this is a failure of the government’s policy.”

Kim Han-gil said, “The fact that nobody detected that something was wrong until gambling gift certificates worth 30 trillion won circulated in the country means that the alarm system to oversee the livelihood of Koreans is not working properly. The government should be fully aware of this fact.”

Kim’s remark can be interpreted to mean that the government should carry out investigations to find out and hold responsible those who are to blame including Ministry of Culture and Tourism, other related ministries and government agencies, and the Senior Secretary Office for the President for Civil Affairs.

He added, “There should be a thorough re-examination on the gambling industry, including horse races, cycling races, lotteries, and casinos.”

However, Cheong Wa Dae showed negative reaction to the demand of official apology, saying, “The priority at the moment should be put on finding out whether there were any problems in carrying out the policies, and if there were, exactly who is responsible.” Jung Tae-ho, the spokesperson of the government, said, “The prosecution and the Board of Audit and Inspection have already launched investigations and audits. Also, you should be reminded that the president has said there must be thorough investigations not to leave even a smallest suspicion about this case.”

Meanwhile, lawmaker Ahn Sang-soo of Grand National Party who chairs the special investigative committee to find truth about the “Gambling Gate,” said, “President Roh, who has the ultimate responsibility for turning the nation into a gambling state, should offer an apology to the Korean public,” in a radio program “Open World-Today, this is Jang Sung-min” aired by PBC.