Troubled lawmakers leave parties to evade responsibilities Posted : 2021-01-08 15:50 Updated : 2021-01-10 18:30 Rep. Kim Byong-wook of the main opposition People Power Party, right, speaks to the media at the National Assembly, Seoul, Dec. 30. He left the party, Thursday, following allegations of rape. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun By Kim Rahn In just nine months since the 21st National Assembly was inaugurated, six of the 300 elected lawmakers have left their parties or been expelled following allegations of criminal activity or unethical behavior. Public criticism is growing as decisions to leave or being expelled from their respective parties allow such lawmakers to evade criticism while maintaining the perks of their position as independents. Their respective former parties are also being denounced for allowing these troublesome lawmakers to leave or kicking them out without making the effort to sufficiently investigate allegations of impropriety, which also allows the parties to avoid responsibility.