Politics in Confrontation Stage, Special Advisor Yoo Cancels His Remark

The Chairman of the Grand National Party (GNP) ,Seo Chung-Won, called President Kim Dae-Jung “the main trunk of the power-elite type scandals” on May 15 while the presidential candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), Roh Moo-Hyun, openly urged the prosecution to probe on the irregularities allegedly involved with the GNP.

Especially, the repercussions grew as the press special advisor, Yoo Jong-Pil, of candidate Roh camp said, “The prosecution is only aiming at the Blue House and the MDP following the statements of the CEO of Future City Environment, Choi Kyu-Sun, which may cast a misunderstanding that the prosecution is not a servant of the powerful but a servant of the opposition party.”

Chairman Suh held a first press conference after he took the job and demanded openly to investigate President Kim, saying, “Enough evidence is presented that all the power-elite irregularities are directly linked to the core of the Blue House, even to President Kim.”

Chairman Suh emphasized, “The current regime is trying to finish off the crisis by investigating only the two sons of President Kim, but the crisis will continue to bulge without any direct investigation of President Kim.”

In contrast to that, candidate Roh attended at the launching ceremony of the central election campaign committee for the local elections held at the Yoido party headquarters during the day. He said in an address, “The prosecution`s investigation only focuses on MDP and avoids the allegations against GNP, and this is not a position the politically independent prosecution should maintain.” He urged the prosecution to investigate the allegations that Choi provided 200,000 dollars to GNP candidate Lee Hoi-Chang.

Candidate Roh also remarked, “When the prosecution assaults at the MDP and the Blue House while trying hard to avoid the political offensive of the GNP, this means in some sense that the prosecution is neither neutral or fair.”

Candidate Roh also asserted, “The rumors of kickbacks concerning candidate Lee`s close aides are smoking up, and Mr. Choi frequently contacted with close associates of candidate Lee and is suspected of being involving in various activities including candidate Lee` visit to the United States. However, proper investigations on these matters are not progressing so far.”

GNP spokesperson Nam Kyung-Pil harshly criticized the remarks of candidate Roh, “We have no other way but to interpret the remarks of candidate Roh, who was selected as a presidential hopeful of the ruling camp, as a suggestion for the prosecution`s investigation and an interference thereof.”

In other story, as the “servant remark” of special advisor Yoo raised eyebrows, candidate Roh reprimanded special advisor Yoo for his “overstatement,” and special advisor Yoo later said, “I cancel my remark concerning the prosecution is the servant of the opposition party, as the remark is contrary to the will of candidate Roh.”

In-Soo Song Jeong-Hun Kim issong@donga.com jnghn@donga.com