“Can’t Do Investigation” v. “Can’t File Criminal Complaints”

The Congressional Investigation of the usage of the public fund is hitting snags from the beginning of the preliminary probe.

Government agencies like The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAIK), Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), which have been in charge of management of the public fund, have in fact refused to submit the relevant documentation. Nonetheless, Grand National Party (GNP) and Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) are just pointing fingers at each other. As a result, none of MDP’s members attended the special committee for Congressional Investigation, which was convened by GNP’s unilateral request on September 11, 2002.

▽ Real reason for absence = GNP only received a negative answer from the BAIK: “The requested documents are internal in nature. Thus, we could not submit them.” Thus, the GNP is strongly protesting, “Under these circumstances, the Congressional Investigation means nothing.” GNP senior members including Chairman Suh Chong-won have rolled up their sleeves and have been threatening to file complaints against heads of the BAIK, the FSS and the KDIC. Some GNP members suspect that the MDP and Blue House are behind the refusal.

The GNP tried on Sep. 10 to introduce the agenda of filing the complaint by convening an emergency session of the special committee. But the MDP members “boycotted” it and said, “We haven’t decided on the agenda, yet. Then what’s the point in meeting?”

GNP’s member Rep. Park Jong-kun voiced, “The agencies that should submit the documents are refusing to do so. They have made excuses like, ‘Those are internal in nature. It’s against the law.’ And, they even said, ‘It hurts the management of the corporations.’ Thus, it’s practically impossible to investigate.”

In response, MDP’s Kim Hyo-suk on the special committee counter-attacked, “If the GNP needs, it should pinpoint the documents it needs. But, the GNP just said, ‘all relevant documents, all relevant data, and the whole minutes.’ The GNP is just trying to find faults.”

▽ Expected Heightened Tension = The special committee is scheduled to be held right after a main session of Congress on Sept. 13. The GNP plans to push ahead with its request with the threat of filing of criminal complaints against the heads of the agencies at issue. On the other hand, MDP’s position is firm: “We would not agree to that by any means.”

MDP’s committee members brushed off GNP’s argument and said, “The GNP gave little time, while requesting for a huge volume of documents. Then, it’s threatening to file criminal complaints against the heads. It’s just another example of political tactics. It could do so over our dead bodies.”

Considering the composition of the committee, it would not be practically possible for the GNP to file complaints. The committee consists of 9 GNP members, 8 MDP and 1 United Liberal Democracy. Thus, the GNP members need the agreement of the ULD member. But it’s almost impossible. In addition, the committee is chaired by a MDP’s member, Jung Sae-kyun. Therefore, it is doubtful if he should preside over the session where the matter is on the agenda.

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com