[Editorial] Stop Denying Any More; Government Should Prove

Will the government just keep sitting on its hands? A testimony disclosed that the 400 billion won loan to Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. was ordered by then President’s Chief of Staff Han Kwang-ok. Nonetheless, the government would not do anything. It is wrong to further delay its efforts to find out the truth. Nor does the government have any good cause to refuse appointment of a special prosecutor or launch of National Investigation by Congress.

With regard to the loan in question, Um Nak-yong, the former head of Industrial Bank alleged, “I heard from Lee Keun-young, head of National Supervisory Service, ‘Chief of Staff Han kept calling me [Lee]. I couldn’t help it anymore.’” Then, the government should make every effort to find out the truthfulness of it. The situation has become so complicated that the denial by Lee or Han could resolve the dispute or clear out the suspicion around it.

The allegation of Um is different in nature from the allegations made by congressmen who command the privilege of immunity for their statements. The allegation was made by a person who served a position equivalent to that of a vice-minister in this administration. Parties involved should understand the nature. It is not a matter to be brushed off just by denials. The public does not buy their excuses like, “That’s not true at all,” and “I do not recall.” That way, the suspicion will only get larger and lager.

If what Mr. Um has alleged is true, we got to reach a conclusion that the illegitimate loan was directly ordered by the Blue House. The only person who could direct then President’s Chief of Staff was and is President himself alone. It is flimsy for a subordinate to make denials concerning a matter in which the president is involved. We are led to further suspect that the reason that various agencies of proper jurisdiction over this matter, such as National Supervisory Service, have not launched an investigation lies in the nature of this matter: President has been involved.

The way this matter is to be resolved will serve as the litmus test for the reliability of President Kim Dae-jung and his administration. There is no room for them to delay it any longer. It does not matter whether or not the parties involved including former Chief of Staff Han Kwang-ok are denying it. The government should immediately launch a thorough investigation. Our government has an obligation to its citizens to launch a probe and see to it that who is/are lying. President Kim himself should report the results of the investigation, if launched, to the citizens. That is the only appropriate way this matter can be resolved.