[Editorial] Saving-Country Should Start from the Exposing of Government Corruption

A new year has begun. Seeing out the year 2001, which made the people disappointed and angry with all kinds of corruptions and hypocrisies in governmental scale, and seeing in the new year of 2002, we want to share new hope and expectation with the people. This country was established by the sweat and sacrifice of the people, who overcame the disorder of the 1945 Liberation, the Korean War, the continuous political changes, and the draft and raging waves from the international society. Because this country should not flounder any more in the swamp of injustice, unrighteousness, conflict, and disorder, our minds are tragic and brave.

This year is very important for the future of the people and country. Many important things are waiting for us: we have to successfully host the World Cup and Asian Game, which are the chances that represent Korea to the world; we have to secure both justification and interests in the international society during `a war year` which President Bush declared; we have to hold the local election maturely; we have to well manage the economy and provide good living conditions for the people; and we have to make actual progress and development in south-north Korean relationship.

However, the most important thing is to hold the 16th presidential election with fairness and justice because the process and result of the election will decide the future of Korea in the first decade of the 21st century. We experienced bitter past that was resulted from wrong presidents, who split national opinion and caused the people much trouble.

What should be the first thing to do in the beginning of a new year. Answers might differ depending on one`s position. But, we think that the right answer is the exposing and cleansing of governmental corruption, especially the thorough surgical operation on the core circle of the government. Without this, the government cannot overcome the people`s distrust and sardonicism. And without overcoming the people`s distrust and sardonicism, the government cannot properly perform any administration because of its lack of authority. If then, the people will lose their volitions and the whole country will lose vitality.

Including the joint government period with the United Liberal Democrats, a distinct phenomenon after the establishment of the so-called people`s government is the spread of corruption, which the essential figures of the core circle of the government have involved. The lawmakers of the ruling party, the key figures of the assessing agencies, such as the National Intelligence Service, the Public Prosecutor`s Office, and the Police Bureau, and even the high ranking surroundings of the President have deeply involved in illegal actions, lobbying activities, and the chains of manipulation. These realities present the people with the belief that the corruptions were practiced in government level.

In addition, whenever a suspicion arises, the names of the president`s family and of the president`s long time supporters follow. It totally ruined the people`s trust to the core circle of the government. The overseas fleeing of a `perpetrator` and the `announcement` of the fleeing after one month make people to guess who are the wire-pullers of the `perpetrator` and the so-called `main body` of the corruption case.

Therefore, the people feel hypocrisy from the sayings and actions of the leading group of the government, which are beautiful outwardly and are almost falsehood in reality. We think that it was rarely happened since the establishment of the country that the fames and authorities of the essential agencies of the nation were ruined such a degree.

While the reality is so serious, the leading group the government is continuously saying that they made a peaceful reign. When someone pointed out the seriousness of the situation, the leading group put the blame on the press and the opposition party. The major politicians, the presidential hopefuls, are interested in power struggling and busy for the old fashioned opinion manipulation and slander against rivals. When the election day comes close, some candidates will escalate regional conflicts and money spreading. In these situations, how we activate the economy, establish social discipline, actualize national development, harmonize the people, and reconcile the south and north. It is really worrisome situation.

Therefore, we insist that the prime national task of this year is the exposing and cleansing of the government corruption. Thoroughly exposing the corruption of the government`s core circle, all lawbreakers, including people who abused their power, should be punished. The government should prevent the alleged politicians and former and present high ranking officials` fleeing overseas. By doing these things, the government can bring sound social morale. Then, the people will show and perform their potentialities. The `politics of hope` should started from there.

President Kim Dae-Jung must start the completion of his terms of office from there. It is the beginning of the country-saving movement that will rightly construct country and will save the people. Dong-a Ilbo will watch critically the process of this country-saving task as a fair, independent, and sound newspaper.