Doesn’t the Head Know What the Hand is Doing?

“The charges against the lizard do not disappear just because the lizard cuts its tail, on the contrary, it is clear evidence that the lizard was at the scene.”

“It is the same as saying that the head does not know what the hand doing.”

During the July 5 trial sentencing of the so-called “Ahn Case” – in which the defendants were accused of diverting funds of Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) for use in elections – the court left a few significant sayings.

Although the judges did not reach a clear conclusion on who the real owner of the controversial slush fund was, in reality, it virtually acknowledged that the slush funds belonged to former President Kim Young-sam as it had been rumored.

Former ANSP (Agency for National Security Planning) Operations Deputy Director Kim Ki-seop testified, “I funded campaign money to the GNP (Grand National Party) in my individual judgment and met former Assemblyman Kang Sam-jae and gave him the money,” but the court pointed out, “This is the same as saying the head does not know what the hand is doing.” Furthermore, the court determined, “This is a statement to ultimately protect former President Kim Young-sam (YS),” strongly alluding the “responsibility of YS.”

The court continued its verdict, describing Former Deputy Director Kim’s actions to protect higher level officials and take all the responsibility as “cutting the lizard’s tail,’’ and scolding, “Nevertheless, the excised lizard’s tail only proves that the lizard was at the scene.” On the other hand, Kang, who was acquitted after all the hardships, seemed to be trying to hide his real feelings because of the situation now facing former President Kim Young-sam. Kang’s lawyers, however, were in high spirits since they acquitted their client after going through frantic efforts such as tracing bank accounts to prove his innocence. Chung In-bong, one of Kang’s lawyers, said in a statement considering Kang’s position, “Mr. Kang tried not to tell the truth until the end, but us lawyers took the villain role and leaked to the press YS’ involvement. At the time, Mr. Kang was quite upset, but in the end he knew our sincerity.”

Ji-Seong Jeon verso@donga.com