Independent Counsel Officially Requested for 30-day Extension of Its Probe

Chung Wa Dae received a formal letter seeking a 30-day extension of investigation activities from the independent counsel which has been leading an investigation into the North Korea pay-off scandal Friday and began to examine the legitimacy of the counsel`s extension request to decide its position on the matter.

President Roh Moo-hyun is planning to convene a meeting of presidential aides and secretaries on the independent counsel`s request and to inform the independent counsel of the government`s decision on whether to approve the request or not early next week after gathering various opinions from the Justice Ministry and the Prosecution.

Strong opposition to the extension of independent counsel`s probe up to 30 days is widespread among presidential aides and secretaries including presidential chief of staff Moon Hee-sang and presidential aide for state affairs Yoo In-tae who have already expressed their opposition to special counsel`s any move to question former president Kim Dae-jung.

A senior Chung Wa Dae official hinted that many officials believe the president should not approve the special counsel`s request for the extension of its probe because an extended probe is highly likely to include questioning the former president related to the pay-off scandal.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com