“Promoting Special Committee for Investigating President’s Relatives”

The Grand National Party spokesman Nam Kyung-Pil announced on the 31st that it will seek to establish a Special Committee to investigate charges against President Kim Dae-Jung’s relatives.

Also, the party floor leader Lee Jae-Oh said, "We are determined to establish the National Assembly’s special committee because normal measures are too weak to investigate the President’s relatives. If the investigation is not satisfactory, the Special Prosecution will be called and public hearings will also be held."

The opposition is holding a `rally for a resolution for national salvation against corruption` at its headquarters in Youido on the 1st.

Spokesman Nam also said, "10 central figures in the Jung Hyun-Jun, Jin Seung-Hyun, Lee Yong-Ho, and Yoon Tae-Sik scandals already fled the country. It is a question whether their departures were overlooked."

He demanded, "Former Construction and Transportation minister Ahn Jung-Nam, who was the leading figure in the press tax probe, has been staying abroad for over 80 days now, and one government authority named `K` is also known to be going to the U.S.. Broad departure prohibition measures should be put in place, and the whereabouts of those who departed should be confirmed." However, K said, "I will take legal measures against the accusation that visiting America was an act of fleeing the country."

Democratic deputy spokesman Jang Jun-Hyung argued, "The opposition and party president Lee Hoi-Chang should call in former National Tax Service deputy chief Lee Suk-Hee first, who has fled to America."

Meanwhile, Presidential Senior Press Officer Park Sun-Suk said, "It is with regret to see one of the President’ relatives being investigated. But President Kim’s view is that whoever is involved in corruption must be blamed, regardless of their position."

Yong-Gwan Jung issong@donga.com · In-Soo Song yongari@donga.com