The Ministry of Information and Communication Refuses Inspection of Wiretapping Logs

The National Assembly`s Committee of Scientific Technology of Information and Communication requested an inspection and field investigation of `The Act of Regulating Communication Permission Ledger (so-called the Wiretapping Logs)`, but owing to the refusal of the Ministry of Information and Communication, parliamentary investigation was thwarted.

Although members of the Grand National Party demanded field investigation and inspection of the wiretapping log from Korea Telecom`s Kwanghwa-Moon telephone office and SK telecom, the Minister of Information and Communication Yang Seung-Taek refused stating, `The disclosure of the wiretapping log contravenes the communications secret protective law.

Members of the Grand National Party demanded the right to such investigation by appealing to laws concerning National Assembly testimonies and inspections, and to what the former Minister of Information and Communication, Bae Soon-Ho had said earlier, `With the decision of the standing committee of the National Assembly, the wiretapping log can be disclosed`. Minister Yang, however, did not change his position.

Members Choi Byung-Ryul and Kang Jae-Sub of the Grand National Party criticized `Minister Yang`` attitude as one of a crude attitude that challenges the National Assembly and democracy` and stated that they will `consider submitting request for impeachment or dismissal from office`.

Director Lee Jae-Oh who has been making a tour of inspection of the investigation field also warned that, ``the act of ignoring the National Assembly`s decision will not go unnoticed.``

However Kim Hyo-Suk, a member of the Democratic Party confronted this view, ``since it remains unclear whether the inspection of the wiretapping log is possible based on related laws. It would be advisable to respect the administration`s decision first.``

Sun Dae-In eodls@donga.com