Roh Moo-hyun Actually Expressed His Opposition to Investigation by Prosecutors

The conflicts between the ruling Millennium Democratic Party and the opposition Grand National Party are deepening over how to deal with Hyundai Merchant Marine’s clandestine 223.5 billion won payment to North Korea. President-elect Roh Moo-hyun on Feb.3 called for a political solution to the issue in the National Assembly through clearing up the public suspicion based on a bipartisan agreement, while the opposition GNP urged again the prosecution to open a probe into the secret payment by the shipping company.

The president-elect showed his position on the issue during a general meeting of the Presidential Transition Committee held on Feb.3 by saying, “All the truths should be uncovered, but we should also take a diplomatic impact and the national interests the issue may have into account. Therefore, it might be better for the National Assembly to decide how to handle the issue, including the subject of an investigation and necessary procedures.”

Lee Nak-yeon, President-elect’s spokesman, explained, “President-elect’s chief of staff designate Moon Hee-sang’s Feb. 2 remark that the issue should be solved politically in the National Assembly meant a settlement to the issue through a bipartisan agreement in the parliament.”

President-elect Roh’s attitude toward the issue is likely to stir up a controversy because he had previously said that the prosecution should launch a thorough investigation into the case without any political consideration, which is contradictory to the latest president-elect’s position.

In particular, the president-elect’s shift in his attitude, which came after President Kim Dae-jung said he thinks it is inappropriate to subject the issue to legal actions, can be interpreted that the president-elect is practically against prosecutors’ investigation into the issue. President Kim made such a remark right after the outcome of a probe by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) was reported to the president.

Regarding the issue, President-elect’s chief of staff designate Moon Hee-sang urged Chung Wa Dae to actively engage in an effort to clear up the long-held suspicion at a meeting with reporters held on that day by saying, “With respect to issues which have significant impacts on the national interests, Chung Wa Dae and ministers in the government should take an active initiative in finding a solution to the issues.”

Yoo In-tae, presidential secretary designate for political affairs, also contended, “It is appropriate to let concerned parties persuade the opposition GNP in the National Assembly and to wait until the lawmakers deal with the issue in parliament.”

In the meantime, the GNP maintained that there were signs of covering up the secret payment to the North through a prior consultation among the President-elect Roh Moo-hyun and sitting President Kim Dae-jung and the North. The opposition party strongly urged the government to open a prompt investigation by the prosecution into the case and made it clear if its demand is not accepted, it will push ahead with opening a parliamentary probe and appointing an independent counsel.

GNP’s floor leader Lee Q-tak said, “The prosecution should launch an immediate investigation into the 400 billion won secret payment to find out whether the secret payment constitutes an act of rule or not. If the prosecution gives up the investigation into the case, it is unavoidable to impeach the prosecutors’ general. In addition, if there is a parliamentary hearing and a parliamentary probe into the case, President Kim will have to testify before the parliament as a witness or a reference.”

The GNP Feb.3 decided to discuss concrete measures, such as earlier introduction of an independent counsel system, to go to the bottom of the secret payment to the North by holding the first meeting of a special committee composed of 12 members for unearthing the backdoor deal with the North which was followed by a general meeting of its lawmakers on Feb. 4.

Sung-Won Park Young-Hae Choi swpark@donga.com yhchoi65@donga.com