EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Nov. 5)

Corrupt NGO: Environmental Group Should Be Reborn as New Entity

The nation's largest environmental group is reeling from a corruption scandal. On
Monday, the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM) apologized for
embezzlement of government subsidies and donations from businesses. The
federation is now faced with the largest crisis since its creation in 1993,
however, it has been regularly hit by corruption allegations over the past years.
It is a shame that such allegations have proven true as KFEM's former director,
identified as Kim, 33, was arrested Friday for embezzling 310 million won
($238,000). Part of the money is donations which should have been provided to
residents of Taean, South Chungcheong Province, who suffered from the nation's
worst oil spill last December. Kim is suspected of using the money to pay staff
salaries, buy a sports car and pay off his girlfriend's debts.
Announcing the apology, one of KFEM's co-leaders and its secretary general
resigned to take responsibility for the case. The group also pledged to conduct
major organizational reform to prevent the recurrence of such a corruption
scandal. But, it is time for the group to do more to better serve as an
environmental watchdog. If it fails to be reborn as a true nongovernmental
organization (NGO), it cannot regain lost public confidence.
The real problem with the KFEM is that it has emerged as a power-oriented and
bureaucratic group. To the dismay of the public, it has apparently forgotten its
mission to monitor the government and corporations to protect the environment.
During 10 years of liberal governments under former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and
Roh Moo-hyun, KFEM had developed close ties with politicians.
Of course, KFEM has led the NGO movement, emerging as a powerful grassroots'
group devoted to the nation's environmental protection. It is now one of the
biggest civic organizations in Asia with a membership of 150,000 people and 46
regional networks. But, it has also emerged as a politically-oriented group,
neglecting the basics of the environmental movement.
Like some other power-hungry groups, KFEM was engrossed in political struggles to
defeat corruption-tainted conservative candidates in the 2000 and 2004 general
elections. It also waged campaigns to oppose the impeachment of ex-President Roh
and the relocation of U.S. military bases. It also frequently staged
anti-government and anti-U.S. candlelit rallies.
It is disappointing that Choi Yul, a famous environmental activist and former
KFEM secretary general, is also being investigated over corruption allegations.
Choi, now president of the Korea Green Foundation, allegedly embezzled a large
sum of state subsidies and corporate donations while serving as KFEM chief for
more than 10 years.
Whenever such corruption scandals erupt, most civic groups claim that the
prosecution conducts politically-motivated investigations in a bid to tame them.
But this time, fair and thorough investigations are required to get to the bottom
of KFEM's embezzlement. The scandal should also serve as a starting point for the
reform of not only the environmental group but also other civic organizations.
(END)