[Editorial] GNP`s Inappropriate Response to Public Budget Diversion Scandal

Those involved in a scandal where New Korea Party lawmakers used the National Security Agency (now known as the National Intelligence Service)`s budget to finance election campaigns were convicted at the first trial. Since the ruling was handed down, the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) has showed undesirable attitudes. The party has engaged in political mudsling using phrases, such as political trial, oppression of the opposition party, and supporting the new party, instead of issuing its official position. It is difficult to connect the scandal and oppression of the opposition party.

In this ruling, the court threw the book at those involved in the scandal because they diverted the nation`s top intelligence agency`s budget to campaign funds. Without producing contrary evidence, the GNP has just repeated its position that the money was not from the intelligence agency. GNP chairman Choe Byung-yul said that he himself could not disclose the truth. And Rep. Kang Sae-jae also said, "It was not the National Security Agency`s money. But I cannot talk about the financial sources." If they want to make their case, they should say where the money came from.

It is even unseemly that the GNP leadership is holding Rep. Kang back from stepping down as a lawmaker. Under the National Assembly law, if a lawmaker is to step down during a session, there should be a vote on the resignation at a plenary session. Based on the law, the GNP seems to prevent Kang from stepping down. Perhaps, however, the GNP attitude is against Kang`s will to behave honorably, stressing a sense of duty for a public figure.

The GNP`s response to the prosecution`s plan to call in Rep. Kim Deog-ryong also was not appropriate. The prosecution announced that it would summon Rep. Kim, who was secretary general of the then ruling New Korea Party. With regard to the announcement, the GNP tires to argue that it is an unfair investigation targeting the opposition party. If he did do nothing wrong, Kim can appear at the prosecution and prove his innocence.

As a majority party, the GNP should do politics with the people in mind. If they did do something wrong in the past, they should disclose all the truth and make an apology. This can be a turning point for political reform. If they take their own irregularities lightly, they could not gain people`s support.