“Special Prosecution Will Be Implemented for Corruption Cases of the Governmen“

Lee Hoi-Chang, president of the Grand National Party, stated at his New Year Press Conference, "The government has been corrupted since it has privatized the national organizations, ignoring the law and principles, and stood above the law."

Mr. Lee asserted that "The corruption of the government has already gone far beyond the people`s anger and despair, putting the fate of the nation at risk."

He also expressed his disappointment about the President`s remarks, saying "It was very disappointing that the President sees the successive exposure of corruption cases as simply corruption cases of the venture industry. It seems obligatory to introduce the Special Prosecutors until the Cheong Wa Dae, National Intelligence Service, and the Public Prosecution and the Prosecution successfully gain its autonomy from political intervention and regain the support and love of the people."

He also announced his intention to separate the Presidency and the party leadership if he is elected as President, stating "Since the President governs the ruling party and therefore the National Assembly, the abuse of power by the President recurs." In addition, for fair competition for the Presidential candidacy of the party, he will appoint an acting president of the party after establishing the process and the time table.

However, with regard to the requests for early separation of the Presidential candidacy and the party`s leadership by the younger faction and non-mainstream group of the party, Mr. Lee opposed it saying, "The concurrent structure of serving as the party leader and running as a presidential candidate will not negatively affect the party`s democratization and reformation."

He also expressed his intension for the non-partisan cooperation in terms of the economic matter but declared that he will call to account the misuse of public funds. With regard to the Inter-Korean relations, he mentioned that he would keep the three basic principles including strategic mutuality, national consensus and transparency, and verification.

Lee Nak-Yeon, the spokesperson of the New Millennium Democratic Party, however denounced Mr. Lee`s speech for not outlining concrete policies for accomplishing his purpose and what alternative policies he proposes that is different from the ruling party`s policies." Yoo Wun-Young, the spokesperson of the United Liberal Democrats, also criticized Mr. Lee, questioning, "whether Mr. Lee has kept the law and principles himself."

In-Soo Song yongari@donga.com · Yong-Gwan Jung issong@donga.com