Escalating Tensions in Political Circles Over Extended Probe By Special Counsel

The Korean political community seems to be on the verge of an all-out war. Responding to President Roh Moo-hyun`s official rejection Monday of the special counsel`s request for an extended probe into the secret money transfer to North Korea, the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) is poised to wage all-out war against the government.

Right after the President`s announcement, the GNP convened the general meeting of its lawmakers and presented a bill calling for a parliamentary investigation into irregularities involving the President`s relatives and close aides to the National Assembly. The party also decided to create a bill seeking the appointment of a new special prosecutor to examine aspects of the case that had yet to be cleared up at Parliament on June 24 and July 1.

Prior to the President`s announcement, he made some objectives clear at a meeting of his aides and secretaries in the morning. “I think it is desirable for the special counsel to conclude the case," he said. "It would be better if new suspicions, including former presidential chief of staff Park Jin-won`s receiving 15 billion won in bribes, be investigated separately.”

“The special prosecutor has already completed its investigation of the secret transfer of $500 million to Pyongyang ahead of the summit between former President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. I want the special counsel to conclude the case right now,” the President said, rejecting the independent counsel`s formal request for an extension to the probe.

He also added that the bribery case involving Park should be investigated thoroughly and that he will respect the National Assembly`s decision on whether the prosecution or a new independent counsel will conduct the probe.

Regarding the issue, presidential aide for civil affairs Moon Jae-in said that “if an investigation by a new special counsel is limited to bribery allegations involving former presidential chief of staff Park, then the issue should be separately dealt with,” hinting at inevitable conflict with the opposition GNP regarding a new special counsel bill which will be presented by the opposition party.

“The GNP is threatening the government that it will not cooperate on pending bills related to crucial state affairs if the special counsel`s request for an extended probe is not accepted," Mr. Roh continued. "However, the GNP should bear in mind that the National Assembly is an organization for the people. Therefore, it should not be misused as a means for political interests. I made my decision on the special counsel`s formal request based on legal principles.”

Meanwhile, the GNP declared an all-out fight against the government on the President`s decision by issuing a statement that President Roh seemed to opt for authoritarian and anti-democratic paths.

"I am convinced that President Roh Moo-hyun will be punished by history. I will muster all party forces to stage a full-scale struggle against the government," Rep. Park Hee-tae, GNP chairman, said at a party meeting. "The independent counsel team was about to get to the bottom of the case, but Roh halted the probe. I cannot help asking Roh, a former lawyer, whether he has a legal conscience at all," Park said.

Jeong-Hun Kim Yeon-Wook Jung jnghn@donga.com jyw11@donga.com