Unsatisfactory Investigation Will Beget Beefed Up Version of Special Prosecution Bill

The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) submitted its request to the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office for an investigation of President Roh Moo-hyun and his alleged financial supporters, Gang Gum-won (Chairman of Changshin Textile) and Lee Gi-myung, on November 27. The GNP charged that “President Roh has officially violated the comprehensive anti-bribing law by receiving funds from Gang and Lee after he was elected president.”

The request alleged that Gang and Lee colluded to liquidate some 1.885 billion won worth of debts by Jangsoochun, a business owned by President Roh’s older brother. It also charged that Gang gave 950 million won to President Roh’s chauffeur, Sun Bong-sul, and that Gang also contributed 2 billion won in political campaign funds to the MDP right before the general election.

GNP Secretary General Lee Jae-oh said at the press conference held in the morning, “If an investigation of President Roh, Mr. Gang, and Mr. Lee does not proceed, we will revise the Special Prosecution Law to add special provisions and then submit the new bill to the National Assembly.”

Presidential spokesman Chongwadae Yoon Tae-young said, “In regard to the request for an investigation, the prosecution’s office will make its own decision. We do not feel the necessity of giving our response on the issue.”

GNP floor leader Hong Sa-duk, MDP floor leader Jung Kyun-hwan, and the leader of the newly formed Uri party Kim Gun-tae held a general meeting on November 27 to discuss the issue, but could not reach a consensus.

GNP Director Hong said, “President Roh’s veto of the Special Prosecution Law, which had already passed the National Assembly vote with more than two thirds assent, means that he succeeded in turning around more than 10 members.” He proposed that the demand for reconsideration of the law should be first withdrawn, and then could the National Assembly reach a quorum.

However, MDP Director Jung said, “The Assembly should hold a re-vote on the Special Prosecution Law, and then deliberation over the budget should be conducted.” Uri Party Representative Kim also objected to GNP Director Hong’s argument saying, “That cannot happen.”

In other news, the three parties also decided to form a special investigation team for the Buan nuclear waste facility construction issue, over which the government and Buan citizens have been at severe conflict.

Yeon-Wook Jung Sung-Won Park jyw11@donga.com swpark@donga.com