[Editorial] Security Officials Leaving

Investigation and intelligence chiefs are quitting in succession due to conflicts with the Roh administration in the process of dealing with political affairs involving leftists.

Former Prosecutor General Kim Jong-bin stepped down when he had conflicts with then-Minister of Justice Chun Jung-bae, who represented the current administration’s “code,” for his attempt to arrest and investigate Dongguk University professor Kang Jeong-gu’s alleged violation of National Security Law. Former Police Chief Heo Joon-yeong resigned when a farmer was killed in a demonstration against opening the rice market. Although several agents were injured in the process of controlling the violent demonstration, Heo took the responsibility for “excessive control.”

National Intelligence Service Director Kim Seung-gyu’s offer to resign was accepted. A source close to Kim said, “He is not resigning voluntarily, but was forced to quit.” It is not hard to guess that there was pressure from student activists-turned-politicians in the governing party, who oppose the investigation of the espionage scandal involving the so-called 386 generation.

It is the intelligence chief’s duty to investigate the spy case thoroughly. When he needed approval and support, he was instead pushed to resign. It is nothing else than saying, “Don’t investigate spies.” The current administration throws away those officials who are faithful to their duties but not fit with its “code.”

Cheong Wa Dae and the governing party’s “hitting Director Kim” do not stop here. They are finding faults with Kim’s press interview not related to the case or even denying the case itself. Some ruling Uri party lawmakers argued, “it is not appropriate to call it a ‘spy ring case’ when they only met with a few North Koreans.” To them, the case is planned to form a “new security crisis.”

All the chiefs who quit were representatives of public power working to maintain law and order. It is no less than to deny constitutional government if they are pushed to resign for the reason they are not fit with the current administration’s code. Who will be afraid of public power and follow law under such a government with priority given to its “code”?

No wonder there is an illegal violent demonstration almost every day while party officials and venture businessmen are spying for North Korea. It is all predictable when those in charge of controlling illegal acts and capturing spies are chastised by the current administration.