The two leading opposition parties on Monday apologized and vowed zero tolerance upon the irregularity allegations implicating some of their incumbent members, as the issues were seen to hamper the parties’ momentum in starting off the new legislative term.

“I sincerely apologize to the people over the recent reports on Rep. Seo (Young-kyo),” said The Minjoo Party of Korea’s interim chief Kim Chong-in at the party’s Supreme Council meeting, vowing “due measures based on internal audit results.”

The main opposition chief was referring to the party’s second-termer who recently came under fire for having hired her daughter as a paid intern in 2014 and her elder brother as accounting manager at her sponsor association. Pressed by public criticism, she explained the recruitment had been legitimate, not based on family ties.

“In reaction to social polarization and youth unemployment, the public sentiment has increasingly grown sensitive over inequality agendas,” Kim said, calling for more drastic, preemptive efforts to root out ethical issues within the camp.

Earlier on Sunday, the party’s internal audit team separately announced it would launch a comprehensive inspection on Rep. Seo’s alleged influence in hiring family members.

Depending on the audit result, the disputed lawmaker may face sanctions ranging from a simple warning to criminal charges. The latter may also lead to the deprivation of her elected representative seat, should the top court hand down a fine of 1 million won ($850) or more.

Behind the party’s firm stance is the rising suspicion that the party’s leadership had, in fact, been aware of Rep. Seo’s hiring irregularities before the candidate nominations for the April 13 general election, but overlooked them for political gain.

Facing a similar situation is the runner-up opposition People’s Party, in which a proportional representative is facing an ongoing prosecutorial probe over corruption allegations stretching to key members of the leadership.

“I pledge to take stern measures according to (prosecutorial) investigation,” said the party’s cochairman Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo in the Supreme Council meeting, offering an apology for the controversies.

As part of the inquiry into Rep. Kim Su-min’s bribery allegations, the party’s secretary-general, Rep. Park Sun-sook, showed up at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office on Monday to be questioned for allegedly giving direction to then-proportional candidate and political novice Kim.

Meanwhile, the ruling conservative Saenuri Party welcomed the opposition circles’ move to curb the irregularity scandals, but also called for integrity.

“Should a similar dispute have taken place in another political party, the Minjoo Party would have asked for utmost measures, including the resignation of the disputed lawmaker,” said spokesperson Rep. Min Kyung-wook.

“A stern and suitable measure is absolutely crucial, not only to prevent public distrust in the party, but also to protect the reputation of the legislature in general.”

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