Rival Parties Urge Chungwadae to Hold Accountable.

As controversies over garlic imports from China and the postponement of a new drug pricing system are mounting, the political sector is demanding investigations into these scandals and punishment of those responsible.

Hahn Hwa-gap, chairman of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) said yesterday that presidential advisors and chiefs of law enforcement agencies should assume responsibility for failing to prevent a spate of corruption scandals involving the close associates of President Kim Dae-jung.

Nam Gyeong-pil, spokesman of the Grand National Party (GNP) demanded in a statement that the government undergo investigation over the postponement of a new drug pricing system and punish those responsible, saying, "The Health and Welfare Ministry announced to reduce the deficit in health insurance. But the presidential office of Chungwadae did not provided information for President Kim Dae-jung by ordering the Ministry not to reveal details."

Commenting on the controversy over garlic imports from China. He urged the government to punish not only Han Duk-soo, then Trade Minister, but also Lee Ki-ho, then senior presidential secretary for economy and Han Kwang-ok, presidential chief of staff.

Kim Yeong-il, GNP director-general said, "The reason President Kim did not hold those in charge accountable is maybe because the President had been reported beforehand."

Han Hwa-gap, MDP chairman said in his address in the National Assembly, "Presidential aides and chiefs of law enforcement agencies should take responsibility for failing to prevent corruption scandals from happening. If they feel even a bit of responsibility and guilty, they should get down on their knees and make an apology to the public, the President and history."

He added, "Corruption of presidential aides and confidants is evil acts that shake the foundation of the nation because they abuse the constitutional authority of the President elected by the public as a means to satisfy personal desires."

Meanwhile, a high-ranking official of Chungwadae said, "Now that those who responsible have been dismissed over the diplomatic blunder over garlic negotiations between Korea and China, the political sector should try to address the issue in a more prudent way."

Regarding the allegation that the government pressed the Health and Welfare Ministry to postpone its policy to lower drug prices, he dismissed the allegation as nonsense.

In response to politicians` demand to hold presidential aides and chiefs of law enforcement agencies, he said, "The political sector should help the President to concentrate of the challenges facing the nation such as economic advancement. The political sector should also leave corruption scandals involving The President`s sons to the law."

Jeong-Hun Kim Young-Hae Choi jnghn@donga.com yhchoi65@donga.com