[Editorial] Suspicion That Becomes Bigger and Bigger

It is truly difficult to guess how big Lee Yong-Ho scandal is, since its becoming bigger and bigger by day. Lee was reported to have spent hundreds of millions for lobbying activities in order to cover illegal activities such as embezzlement and the manipulation of stock prices amounting to 60 billion won. If the whole picture of Lee scandal is unveiled, it must be a case that will bring a huge impact.

As the news on the confiscated materials, which were seized during the Prosecution`s investigation last year, and the high-ranking officials who ordered to stop the investigation have come in everyday, people look at these more sternly. If the Prosecution does not show willingness to quickly and firmly investigate the case, the Prosecution will lose the credibility.

It is said that the inner circle of the Prosecution perceives this case as a power game, and some tend to protest against the investigation. This is such a simplistic thought. It seems that this scandal may create a bigger stir than the Susuh case, in which the Assembly people were indicted one after another, and the Chung Duk-Jin slot machine case, in which the head of the Supreme Prosecutors` Office was indicted.

The establishment of the Special Inspection Unity, which is not controlled by the Prosecutor General Shin Seung-Nam, seems to be the last resort based on the judgment that it would be difficult to secure the credibility of the investigation if it is under the control of Shin, whose brother is involved in the case. No matter what kind of organization is established within the Prosecution, the top of the Prosecution is the Prosecutor General. And, there are always limits in self-investigation and audit in any organization.

Therefore, the introduction of the Special Prosecutor System insisted by the opposition party is gaining the public support more and more. Although the Special Prosecutor system is not an all-round system that can reveal the truth, it cannot but be the option if the Prosecution cannot reveal the truth through its self-investigation. If the Prosecution had established the Special Inspection Unit in order to avoid the crisis through the partial investigation, it is a gross mistake of judgment.

There are people who tarnish the group in any organization. However, the fact that the high-ranking officials of the Prosecution, which deals with the criminals, are involved with those shady people through school connection and regional connection has stained the whole organization. As the Prosecution is authorized to control all investigation organizations based on Criminal Procedure Code, it has not been inspected by any other organization since the democratization. The Prosecution should reflect whether such a consecration has led the prosecutors to deviate from their original roles.

If the Prosecution wishes to be reborn as an organization that wins the public confidence, it should admonish all prosecutors by cutting out its corrupted part.