"I apologize to the citizens with regard to the issue surrounding Rep. Seo, which has recently been reported in the media," Kim said during a meeting with senior party members.

"Through an internal audit, we will take corresponding steps (to deal with the case)." Seo is alleged to have hired her own daughter as an intern at her parliamentary office for five months in 2014. Her daughter's salary was sent to the lawmaker in the form of political donations. Seo is also accused of having hired her younger brother as an accounting assistant.

The Minjoo leader deplored the latest setback to his party, noting that the case came at a "very sensitive time" when social polarization is deepening with young adult unemployment remaining a tough nut to crack.

"We have to take this (current economic situation) as a momentum for economic democratization and inclusive growth," he said. "Or else, we will inevitably face moral condemnation, and our party will drift farther away from the people."

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chair of the minor opposition People's Party, also said that he is sorry for the corruption scandal involving his party's lawmakers "regardless of the causes," and that he will take "strict and stern" actions against the cases.

"Whatever the causes may be, we feel sorry," he said at a meeting with top party officials.His party has been faltering under the allegations that Rep.
Kim Su-min may have received 178 million won ($151,000) in illicit funds from local advertisement firms by forging contracts. Rep. Park Sun-sook and Wang Ju-hyeon, the party's former vice secretary-general, are also allegedly involved in the case and face a prosecutorial investigation. (Yonhap)