[Editorial] Special Prosecution Should Continue

The people`s expectations for Cha Jeong-Il`s Special Prosecutors team (SP), which is investigating `Lee Yong Ho Gate`, are growing.

If it had not been for the SP, abominable criminals who are in shackles now could have easily been forgotten.

If it had not been for the SP, Lee Hyung-Taek, the President`s nephew-in-law, and Shin Seung-Hwan, brother of former prosecutor general could have easily escaped the law.

And if it had not been for the SP, the involvement of Lee Ki-Ho, former senior presidential secretary of the economy, in giving instructions regarding reduction and exemption in taxes which ex-director of N.T.A. office implemented would not have been revealed.

Earlier on, despite suspicions spreading like a cloud, a weak prosecutions` investigation had continued and disappointed the people. The work of the SP, therefore, is like a cold shower after a drought. As a result, much encouragement and praise is falling on the SP.

SP should announce that `There are no special privileges before the Special Prosecutors team` with a strong heart.

The duration of the first SP investigation is coming to an end on the 8th, but suspicions surrounding the cases still remain.

Thus, it was natural that they should apply for an extension of the term, and the President should admit this without hesitation.

It seems that even if they have 45 more days, utilizing all two extensions permitted by law for the SP will not be enough.

More time is required to investigate people like Lee Hyung-Taek and to dig into political compromises and suspicion of involvement of influential individuals which are coming to surface every day.

Counter-measures should be arranged in order to avoid the mistake aborting the investigation because of a paucity of time.

If necessary, the rights of the SP should be increased to dig deeper into the suspicion. This is also the wish of people.

If the investigation is halted due to legal constraints which limit the scope of the investigation, there will then be questions about the President`s determination to expose corruption.

Cha Jeong-Il`s Special Prosecutors team should continue until the truth of the Lee Yong-Ho Gate is found, and the government should give enough time and authority to the SP to do so.