[Editorial] Why Was Kim Hong-Up`s Name Mentioned?

President Kim Dae-Jung`s sons` names have recently appeared in the newspapers in succession. In relation to the `Jin Seung-Hyun Gate`, names of President`s eldest and the second son are mentioned in the newspapers. The report is focused on whether both Rep. Kim Hong-Il of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and Kim Hong-Up (vice chairperson of the board of director of the Asia Pacific Foundation) are related to Choi Tak-Gon, who allegedly offered 100 million won to the former head presidential secretary Shin Kwang-Ok to save Jin Seung-Hyun. People are watching the situation with a sense of astonishment since such reports are coming out while Choi is being investigated by the prosecution.

A report that Choi spent the `encouraging money` under the name of President`s eldest son Rep. Kim Hong-Il especially catches people`s eyes. Of course, Rep. Kim Hong-Il`s circle strongly denied it. It was also revealed that Choi appealed to the President`s second son Kim Hong-Up to save him right before he appeared in the prosecution. While Kim Hong-Up admitted the fact that he met with Choi, Kim said "there was nothing I did except that I met with him."

We hope that Kim Hong-Up`s explanation is true. Kim said, "I had to meet with him because I could not treat anybody unkindly. I am not in a position of giving a favor." However, we pay attention to the fact that Choi, who was in a desperate situation, visited Kim Hong-Up.

The fact that Choi who even attempted to leave for New Zealand as he became the focus of the media report and the subject of prosecution`s investigation visited Kim Hong-Up, instead of the powerful people of the MDP, officials of the prosecution and lawyers, demonstrates the influence and potential `power` of `President`s son` and `vice chairperson of the board of director of the Asia Pacific Foundation`. People`s suspicion seems to have started from this.

In relation to the investigation on various scandals, President Kim emphasized `fairness and transparency` yesterday, saying "corruption is bad, but covering up corruption is bigger evil." President urged for investigation that is clearly understandable and acceptable. Rumors and suspicion in relation to the President`s sons cannot be an exception. The reported cases should be thoroughly investigated and the true picture of the cases should be revealed. Moreover, President`s family or relatives should seriously think about ways in which they can be of help to President, the patriarch of his family, during this chaotic time. They probably need to take a step away from their public position, which is the origin of dispute.