The main opposition Democratic Unified Party resolved to launch a special committee to investigate allegations that one of the candidates for the upcoming leadership election offered cash to party members for votes.

The decision was made quickly as the allegations came amid the ruling Grand National Party’s bribery scandal, directly involving one of its former leaders.

“The Supreme Council shall immediately establish an investigation committee and inquire into the given allegations,” said a party spokesperson.

“The candidate, if proven to be guilty of the charges, will be stripped of candidacy and handed over to authorities for legal procedures.”

An online newspaper reported earlier in the day that one of the nine candidates for party leader offered bribes to party members in exchange for votes in the leadership election slated for this Sunday.

It was also reported that a candidate delivered cash to the regional committee chairmen shortly before the preliminary race started on Dec. 26.

The news put the newly formed left-wing party on full alert as it had been hammering the GNP and its former chairman, Rep. Park Hee-tae, over allegations that he distributed cash to party members prior to a leadership vote in 2008.

DUP members from the civic group-based Citizen Integration Party were especially infuriated by the accusations of bribery.

“We may not hold a leadership vote properly amid these bribery suspicions,” said Lee Hak-young, former secretary-general of the Korean Young Men’s Christian Association and one of the nine aspiring chairpersons.

The committee will first question the party members known to have witnessed the bribery within the week and then summon the accused candidate, officials said.

“We will not let the mud stain the entire party,” said Rep. Won Hye-young, interim chairman of the party, calling for a thorough investigation.

“In the past, it may have been an acceptable custom for candidates to buy meals and entertain regional committee chairmen, but things are different now.”

Rep. Won nevertheless stated that the national convention is to take place on Sunday as scheduled.

The GNP whistle-blower, Rep. Koh Seung-duk, claimed that vote-buying was a chronic disease in Korean politics.

“Parties should refrain from pointing at each other and focus on shaking off their long-standing ill customs,” said Koh.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)