Minjoo lawmaker leaves party over nepotism

A main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea lawmaker who has been become the center of controversy for hiring family members to work for her said on Monday that she will leave the party.

Rep. Seo Young-kyo made the decision after taking flak for hiring her own daughter as an intern at her parliamentary office for five months in 2014. Her daughter's salary was sent to the lawmaker in the form of political donations. 

Rep. Seo Young-kyo, a former lawmaker of the Minjoo Party of Korea (Yonhap)

Seo is also accused of hiring two of her brothers to work for her and handle accounting work.

Public sentiment has turned against Seo, which also sparked debate over the excessive privileges given to lawmakers and nepotism.

"I plan to leave the party to reduce the burden on the Minjoo Party," Seo said in a statement. "I realized that being a lawmaker requires being careful in all matters. I have disappointed many people due to my clumsiness."

Following the secession, the Minjoo Party holds 121 seats in the National Assembly. The ruling Saenuri Party currently has 129 in the 300-member unicameral parliament. (Yonhap)