Iraq/Kurdistan: Lawmaker Skeptical of Kurdistan Oil Prospects

Mar 19, 2015 | Jun Ji-hye, The Korea Times
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Rep. Hong Young-pyo has downplayed expectations over oil exploration projects by the Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) in Kurdistan.

"Given the enormous amount of taxpayers' money invested, it is hard to say that the projects are going well," Hong of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) told The Korea Times. "Success or failure still remains to be seen."

Hong made a nine-day on-site inspection in the Middle East, including Iraq, last week as a member of a bipartisan group of lawmakers investigating the "outflow" of national funds during the failed "energy diplomacy" of the previous Lee Myung-bak government.