[Editorial] 15 Billion Bribe Said to Have Been Funneled into Millennium Democratic Party

Former Hyundai Securities chairman Lee Ik-chi publicly said that Park had in fact received 15 billion won from Hyundai. But no one knows where it was spent. Rumor has it, that if the money was funneled into the Millennium Democratic Party`s coffers during the general election of April 2000, the Kim Dae-jung money wiring scandal will take on a totally new aspect. The secret checkbook diplomacy scandal has to shake off the word "diplomacy" out of it- it was simply a bribery scandal concerning a dirty political slush fund. Consequently, the investigation has to be changed for two reasons.

First, Millennium Democrats have alleged, out of loyalty to Kim Dae-jung, that Independent Counsel Song should grant Kim immunity. Kim Dae-jung was however the President and head of the party that was and still is at the center of the scandal. How can we get to the truth without examining the No. 1 key suspect? The Millennium Democratic Party itself seems like a co-conspirator in this political plot. Therefore, the party is not in a position to argue for Kim Dae-jung`s immunity. We have already seen a political slush fund scandal nearly ruin the Kim Young-sam administration. And actually, Kim Dae-jung himself spearheaded the move against the Kim Young-sam administration. Now, how could Kim and his men now assert immunity for their own conduct?

Without extension of the investigation period, Independent Counsel Song should conclude the investigation in the next five days. The Counsel has only limited human and other resources. Therefore, five days is too short a time for him to look into the complicated process of money-laundering and find out the whereabouts of the dirty fund. Even if extended, Song will have only 50 days. This is too short to find out anything.

When Independent Counsel Song fails to dig up all the dirt due to shortage of time and resources, the Prosecution should launch a more thorough probe into the scandal. Last year, when another counsel ended up investigating the Lee Yong-ho scandal in half, the DA`s office picked it up, launched an all-out investigation, and finally locked up Kim Dae Jung`s son Hong-up as well as his cronies.

The DA`s Office may not feel good about the progress Independent Counsel Song has been making. The Prosecution voluntarily gave up on the checkbook diplomacy scandal, by catering to the higher powers. But it should regain its reputation by actively cooperating with Song and his team. That way, the Prosecution can wash off any dirt, and we will not see the appointment of yet another independent counsel.