Ruling Party Spends $206 Million on Lawmaker's US Trip

Chosun Ilbo reported that Jang Je-won, a key figure in the People Power Party, spent 206 million won of party funds during an 8-night, 10-day visit to the United States, just two months before the June 3rd local elections, raising criticism.

Kim Tae-gyu, the People Power Party's senior deputy floor leader, appeared on a radio show to defend Jang Je-won's trip expenses, stating, "Please don't hate him too much." He argued that hundreds of thousands of party members had joined since Jang's return, and explained that overseas visits contribute to improved relationships and consensus building. Kim emphasized that Jang had worked diligently to achieve results, even to the point of buying his own hamburgers.

In an editorial on the same day, Chosun Ilbo pointed out that despite the People Power Party's declining approval ratings, it was failing to gain a rebound as the main opposition party. The newspaper criticized Jang's US trip expenses, asserting they had a detrimental effect on the People Power Party's nationwide support.