Front Clashes on `Lee Yong-Ho Scandal`

Even after the end of the National Investigation by the National Assembly for 20 days on Sep. 29, disputes between the ruling and the opposition parties and the crippled operation of the regular session of the National Assembly seem not inescapable. The opposing Grand National Party assures that it will dig out the `suspicion of the authoritative corruption` the suspicious lobbies of Lee Yong-Ho, the president of G&G to the political circle and the government, by introducing the special prosecutor system and the additional National Investigation for the rest of the regular session.

Concerning the `Lee Yong-Ho Gate` Rep. Lee Jae-Oh, the floor leader of GNP, said that ``After the National Investigation by the National Assembly from October to November, Prosecutor has to carry out the investigation for three months from the middle of November.``

He also asserted that ``the target of the investigations must include Kim Hyung-Yoon, Hur Nam-Seok for his connection to the `Lee Yong-Ho Gate` and the suspicious cover-up by the Special Investigation Team 2 of the Seoul Prosecutors Office.``

He also added that ``the appointment of the special prosecutor would rather be appointed by the National Assembly at this time, not entrusting the appointment to the Korean Bar Association. And the special prosecutor should hold the right to indict the suspects.``

However, Rep. Lee Sang-Soo, the floor leader of the New Millennium Democratic Party, remarked that ``it is wondering why GNP insists on the National Investigation even though the special prosecutor, the more intensified investigation system, will be introduced. Once the related legislation is completed by the end of October, the prosecutor will be able to implement a new investigation.``

NMDP adopted a resolution that the party will do its best effort to reveal all the suspicions and to punish any related person by law, but the party will strictly respond against the bombastic suspicions falsely exaggerated by the GNP lawmakers.

The resolution also asserted that the party will move to request for, firstly, the prosecutors investigation and the National Investigation on the suspicions related to Joo Jin-Woo of GNP, who maneuvered to purchase the Noryangjin Marine Product Market by utilizing the National Investigation, secondly, the thorough investigation on so-called `North Wind Incident` related with Rep. Jeong Jae-Mun of GNP, which has been recently revealed the connection of then Presidential candidate of GNP Lee Hoi-Chang to the plot.

Meanwhile, Jang Kwang-Keun, spokesperson of GNP, urged to find out the wire puller of the authoritative corruption of the treasure ship project, which is allegedly related with Lee Yong-Ho, Kim Hyung-Yoon, and Lee Hyung-Taek.

Kim Jeong-Hun jnghn@donga.com