[Opinion] Why Do They Have to Dig around Now?

The whole country is filled with noise about `gate` and `smell of money`. The phrase `corrupt republic` comes to mind. There seems to be no basic morals or `comrade loyalty` in the world of political power. Everyone is clutching on to some `conspiracy theory`. They say that even though the names and entrance for the `Jin Seung-Hyun Gate`, `Lee Yong-Ho Gate`, and `Chung Hyun-Joon Gate` are different, the conspiracy theory shows that they are all part of one path. There, they say, is the `body` of evidence. The series of questions about the President`s sons also revolve around this `body`.

Some say that there is no reason to go digging around when all that it will do is reveal endless amount of decay and dirt. Others agree, sympathizing with the administration which has become like a lame duck. What is the use of going after it? They do have a point. This is not the only thing to worry about with the anxiety over the future of the world economy, the successful execution of the global celebration of the World Cup, and concerns about whether the regional and presidential elections will go forward without mishap. Hence, some are taking a reluctant stance on the issue, saying that we can overlook these scandals for the time being, seeing how many things the administration has to handle.

Yet, why is the media persistently following these `gates` and looking for evidence of corruption and the actual `body`?

The American newspaper, The Washington Post, dug into the Watergate scandal despite the fact that the Richard Nixon administration was deep in the mire of the Vietnam War. The George W. Bush administration, waging its war against terrorism, signed a bill for a closed military tribunal for foreign terrorists. The New York Times printed an exceptional editorial piece which sharply criticized the Bush administration as destroying the founding fathers` principles of checks and balances. It is not an easy thing to criticize the president during war when the fate of the nation is at stake, but the Times decided that it had to criticize the things that needed criticism.

There is probably no precedent for political power to confess of its own mistakes and make up for them. Power always seeks to cover up its own mistakes. What about the press? The duty of the press is to seek out the truth with persistence and determination. It has to accept an endless confrontation with the powers-that-be which denies everything. At times, the press needs to disregard public sentiment and make an objective criticism. The press believes that this will actually strengthen the nation and society in the end.

Even if we do not insist on the duties of the press, the truth about the `gates` and the `body` can no longer be hidden even if the press wanted to hide it. This is for the sake of renewing our political landscape. How much time and effort went into the Roh Tae-Woo administration clearing away the Chun Doo-Hwan administration, Kim Young-Sam administration investigating the financial accounts of the Roh Tae-Woo and Chun Doo-Hwan administrations, Kim Dae Jung administration rooting out the remains of the Kim Young-Sam administration? How long did the people have to endure all that havoc?

We must never repeat that kind of a past. If mistakes surface, they must be addressed immediately and cleanly. No one wants to see people dragged to the courts by someone else`s hand. Everyone wants an administration that can admit its own mistakes, maintain dignity, and step down without regret.

Furthermore, the `Three Kims Era`, which has had so many merits and demerits during our modern history, is coming to an end and disappearing into history. The present administration has the task of taking with it the dark shadow of the Three Kims Era. How will an administration that bides its time and waits for the `gates` and the `body` to disappear fulfill such a task?

President Kim Dae Jung says at every opportunity that he hopes the present administration will be remembered as a clean administration. He even ordered that the truth be disclosed at any cost. If the administration chooses to disclose everything, the press will have no reason to raise its voice. It would greet it with applause.

Nam Chan-Soon (Editorial Staff Writer)

chansoon@donga.com