[Editorial] Probe distrusted even by prosecutors

The investigations by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office (SPO) into Hanvit Bank's unlawful loan scandal came to a conclusion that it was a simple case of money swindling. But, it is known that some prosecutors themselves were critical of the conclusion by expressing their disbelief about many aspects of the investigative findings.

It is important to note here that the SPO's senior prosecutors apparently pointed out at their extended meeting onThursday that some of its investigations relating to the suspected external pressures for the unlawful loan as well as its ulterior motives were inadequate.

This is almost same as saying that the case has to be investigated all over again. Because prosecutors themseleves voiced their skepticism about the adequacy of the investigations conducted by their fellow colleagues.

In fact, we were rather suspicious about the SPO's hasty move to release its findings prior to the Chuseok holidays. The prosecutors probably had in mind that the people's interest in the case might fade away with the lapse of time, and their critical views on the prosecutors would also die down. But, the suspicions mounted and the public opinion became more hostile against them during the holidays.

This was because of the prosecutors' conclusion to whitewash the case, despite many reliable indications to show the suspected external pressures for the loan. The prosecutors simply concluded that there was no evidence to prove such external pressures, and that it was merely a case of swindling.

In particular, the prosecutors were somehow trying to evade any probes on the suspected external pressures on the Trust Guarantee Funds (TGF) for a loan. They insisted that the TGF case is an entirely separate case from the Hanbit Bank loan scandal, although the stories of the two cases and the people involved in the cases appear identical,with striking similarities between the two. The problem is that the prosecutors still maintain the same stand that they were two unrelated cases.

In the TGF case, Yongdong branch manager Lee Un-Yong who is now on the prosecetors' wanted list, stated on two occasions in his press interviews that he was under pressures for a loan guarantee from Minister Park Ji Won. Besides, it was known that Lee's university alumnus met Minister Park on three occasions on Lee's behalf to resolve the matter.

Moreover, Kwon No-Kap, the ruling Millennium Democratic Party's Supreme Council(MDPSC) member, has also recently stated that he heard of the stories in May about Minister Park's exercise of pressures for the loan case. He himself does not admit of such statements ever being made. But, the statements made by many people involved in the case appear rather concrete and specific enough to suspect that the case might have involved some political deals.

Minister Park's issue was raised by the MDPSC members at Thursday's meeting. Some 13 MDP newly or relected legislative members held the meeting on Friday at the Assembly Members' Office Building to discuss the possibility of implemmenting special prosecutors to investigate the case. These move seem to indicate their recognition, though belated one, of the seriousness of the controversial case at issue.

As the MDP legislative members admitted, Hanbit Bank loan scandal and the suspected pressures over the TGF are at the center of the people's hostile concern over the country's recent disastrous affairs which involve railloading passage of a revision bill for the National Assembly Law; suspicions to conceal and minimize election fraud; doctors' strikes; and soaring oil prices.

Our regret here is that President Kim Dae-Jung seems to take this case of loan scandal rather lightly. President Kim reportedly told the MDP caucus members on Thursday that he knew of the suspicions about Minister Park's possible involvement but there was no evidence to incriminate Park. We are rather dubious about President Kim's summary statement about the lack of evidence when prosecutors have not even investigated the TGF case to say anything about evidence.

The ease and laxity with which President Kim and top prosecutors regard this scandal make it all the more necessary to investigate into this loan scandal by mplemmenting special prosecutors.