[Editorial] Special Prosecutor Bill Should Not Be Reversed

Regarding the bill on the appointment of a special prosecutor for investigation of the secret money transfer to the North, the governing Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) is tipping toward the new president’s exercise of his veto right. Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae, equivalent to the U.S. White House, is delaying reply, watching changes in public opinion. If they are to reverse the bill, which has already passed through the National Assembly, in this way, it is not right.

The MDP is citing two reasons for their calling for veto. The first is that the secret transfer of money to North Korea was not illegal, but the ‘cost for peace’ on the Korean Peninsula. The second is that the opposition Grand National Party (GNP), which controls a majority of the National Assembly seats, unilaterally presented and passed the bill on the special prosecutor, using its favorable majority status. MDP lawmakers see that the passage of the bill shows the GNP’s recklessness, thus it should be discussed on the floor again.

However, given that the whole truth surrounding the transfer scandal has not been disclosed yet, the MDP’s argument that it is not a corruption case does not make sense. Rather, the suspicion that the transfer process violated the positive law provides cause for fact finding. In addition, the MDP’s allegation that the money transferred to the North was the ‘cost for peace’ is far-fetched. It can say that only when the public agrees after fully understanding the situation. Though the opposition party unilaterally passed the special prosecutor bill with the MDP lawmakers out, it is not illegal. Therefore, the MDP’s reason for its rejection of the appointment of a special prosecutor is not likely to get people’s support.

The public is for the appointment of a special prosecutor because they think a thorough investigation of the transfer would provide an opportunity to seek transparency in inter-Korean relations. The MDP should read the public’s real intention as it is. If it is to distort public opinion for political reasons, it could cause a disaster for the new government. Keeping this in mind, Cheong Wa Dae should bring the controversy over exercise of its veto right to an early end.

The ruling camp should do its part, leaving the transfer case with a special prosecutor. Nuclear tensions are rising and the economy is deteriorating. The challenge of dealing with the deadly fire case in Daegu is also urgent. At this critical time, should they be absorbed in reversing this special prosecutor bill?