Opposition leader urges full investigation

"The facts that have come to light so far point to the involvement and power influence of a figure close to the President," Chairman Lee Hoi-Chang of the opposition Grand National Party said August 31 concerning the illegal loans scandal of Hanvit Bank. "It is time to take stern action against those involved regardless of their status."

Chairman Lee spoke during a press conference marking his second year as the party leader. "This current scandal is yet another following the boutique lobby scandal, which proved the current administration`s corruption,¡± Lee continued. ¡°Although the prosecutors are trying to cover up the case, the people of Korea are seeing the very root of corruption.

"If the current administration tries once again to trick the people, we will not stand idly by. We plan to organize a corruptive power-peddling special investigative committee to thoroughly find the truth of the matter. Should the Prosecutor`s Office attempt to cover up the scandal, we shall introduce a special prosecutor issue to discover the truth."

Lee also had a warning about the suspected involvement of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party in the campaign fund investigation.

"It is time for the president to speak up,¡± Lee said. ¡°If he fails to follow through on his duty and responsibility, he will surely lose all the trust of the people, and he will find it difficult to carry out his office as the president."

Song In-Soo issong@donga.com