The ruling Saenuri Party vowed on Wednesday to amend lobby laws as part of efforts to rein in lawmakers holding book publishing events ― which have been known as thinly veiled forms of political contribution.

In principle, lawmakers hold the publishing events to sell and advertise books they have recently authored. But lobbyists and junior politicians often abuse the gatherings as a way to gain favors from senior politicians by donating large sums of money under the pretense of buying one of the books.

By regulating the events, Saenuri Party officials hope to assuage increasing public criticism against graft among senior politicians, in the wake of a series of alleged scandals involving money that lawmakers say they attained through such events.

The Saenuri Party is considering making receipts at book events mandatory, to tally the exact amount of money officials receive. Saenuri officials are also considering publicizing the names of those who donate large sums to make the events more transparent. The number of invited guests could also be limited.

Wednesday’s vows by the Saenuri Party comes after ruling party Rep. Park Sang-eun and opposition lawmaker Rep. Shin Hak-yong were alleged to have received bribes.

Park allegedly received bribes from shipping industry officials overseeing safety regulations, in the months leading up to a massive ferry accident in April which killed more than 300. Shin received illegal funds from an arts college as part of illegal lobbying activities according to prosecutors.

Both lawmakers however charge that parts of the money came from book publishing events ― in other words, from legal events in which the giving of cash for lobbying purposes is condoned.

The recent scandals poured crude oil on the already fiery criticism against book events. And with Saenuri Party chair Rep. Kim Moo-sung admitting the events are a “legal loophole” for amassing illegal political funds, amendments to the Political Funds Act and the Public Official Election Act appear inevitable. The two bills regulate lobbying activities.

But critics charge the Saenuri Party’s vows are just for show. South Korea’s main parties have in fact proposed similar amendments multiple times, only to have the suggestions quietly booked away.

Earlier this year, former Saenuri chair Rep. Hwang Woo-yea led a drive to limit the publication ceremonies to two per term for each lawmaker, but to no avail. In February main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy Rep. Lee Jong-kul also sponsored a bill limiting the events, but the bill was never adopted.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)