[Editorial] Rising Suspicion Over True Intention of Cheongju Prosecution Office

The case involving Lee Won-ho, the owner of a Cheongju nightclub who had been arrested for masterminding secret videotaping of a presidential aide, is a complicate scandal where some influential people were implicated. Despite the fact, it is a bribery case to block the prosecution`s investigation. Yesterday, the Cheongju district prosecutors` office sued former prosecutor Kim Do-hoon, who was involved in producing the secret videotape, on charges of libel and criminal acts. On the other hand, there hasn’t been much progress in an investigation into the nightclub owner`s suspected bribe offering case. As a result, many raise questions over whether the prosecution hasn`t much attention to unveil all truths behind the case.

Truly, former prosecutor Kim should have chosen alternative way if his intention was to have disclosed cozy relationship between prosecution`s inner circles and politicians. However, the secret videotaping is not an important part of the case.

The Cheongju district prosecution office gives an impression that it has proceed with an aggressive investigation against former prosecutor Kim who had hurled harsh accusation against the law-enforcement agency, accusing him for demanding 100 million won in bribe in return for exercising his influence as well as for taking 20 million won from a suspect in the videotaping case. However, the prosecution has made little progress in its investigations into the case involving Yang Gi-seung, a presidential aide and presidential campaign funds included in the former prosecutor`s investigation record.

It has been known that when investigators searched Lee Won-ho`s house, they found a picture of president Roh being with Lee and a letter of gratitude from former MDP chairman Han Wha-gap. Despite the picture and a letter of gratitude, it is difficult to conclude that there are president Roh and the ruling party behind the bribery case.

However, in the process of the prosecution`s investigation, there have been clues that nightclub owner Lee has lobbied politicians and prosecution`s inner circles for his savior. Therefore, if the letter of gratitude was granted Lee because of his campaign fund contribution to the MDP, the prosecution should unveil the fact how much money he donated and the source of the money is legitimate first.

The prosecution should make efforts to clear up public suspicion that it has a veiled aim to cover up Lee`s case by paying more attention to the secret videotaping case. To this end, the prosecution should go to the bottom of the case through a fair investigation.