Opposition Parties Urge “Prosecutor General`s Resignation“

The Independent Counsel Team, who is reinvestigating G & G president Lee Yong-Ho`s alleged lobbying activities to politicians and government officials, requested an arrest warrant for Shin Seung-Hwan, the Public Prosecutor General Shin Seung-Nam`s brother. The Grand National Party (GNP) and United Liberal Democrats (ULD) demanded the Prosecutor Genral Shin`s resignation, yesterday.

The GNP Spokesman Nam Gyung-Pil said, in the high ranking party-officials` meeting, "While he admitted the fact that his brother received money from Lee in last September, the Prosecutor General Shin did not conduct proper investigation. Shin must take responsibility for minimizing the investigation in order to protect his brother and for deceiving the opposition parties and people. Shin should resign."

Rep. Nam continued, "According to our information, Shin made a telephone call to the Prosecutor`s Special Investigation Team and ordered not to conduct arrest-investigation. Shin should clearly explain on this suspicion." However, Rep. Nam did not reveal the source, acquired route, and contents of the information.

The ULD Spokesman Jung Jin-Seok also urged Shin`s resignation and the Independent Counsel Team`s thorough investigation. "The Prosecutor General Shin and the investigation team must take official and moral responsibilities for their poor investigation of Shin`s brother."

Spokesman Jung also said, in relation to Cheong Wa Dae aides` alleged involvements in various gates, "President Kim should apologize to the people in recognizing his responsibility for the chaos of national administration caused by his aides` corruption."

Jeong-Hun Kim swpark@donga.com · Sung-Won Park jnghn@donga.com