MDP Urges President to Clarify Allegations

At the parliamentary interpellation session on economy yesterday, lawmakers of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) called for the tracing of the account with regards to the allegations that 400 billion won was sent to North Korea through an illegal route in the form of secret aid. They also urged President Kim Dae-jung to reveal in person the truth behind the alleged lobbying to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The afternoon session was cancelled as MDP lawmakers refused to attend the plenary session, vehemently protesting to Rep. Lee Wan-gu of the United Liberal Democrats (ULD) and Rep. Chung Yong-hak of the MDP, who joined the Grand National Party(GNP).

Rep. Chung Jang-sun of the MDP said, “President Kim should clarify allegations regarding the secret aid to North Korea and the lobbying to win the Nobel Peace Prize by himself. He should not be a president, who waits his term to come to an end.

Rep. Kim Young-hwan of the MDP said, “The public is confused by the GNP`s groundless allegation over the secret aid to North Korea. The truth behind the allegation should be revealed through, if necessary, the tracing of bank accounts.”

Rep. Lee Bang-ho of the GNP said, "If the prosecutor traces bank accounts, the whereabout of the 400 billion won will come to light.” Rep. Ahn Taek-su of the GNP said, “Chung Mong-hun, chairman of the board of directors of Hyundai Asan said the company used the money to provide liquidity for its affiliates. His remarks indicates the company violated the Fair Trade Law and the Real-Name Account System.”

Regarding the breakdown of the parliamentary hearing about public fund, Rep. Ha Sun-bong of the GNP urged that the government make public where did the fund go, how it was retrieved, how much burden the public shouldered. He also demanded the introduction of the independent council system to launch a full-fledged investigation into the alleged misuse and abuse of the public fund.

But Rep. Kang Bong-gyun of the MDP, former Economy Minister, refuted GNP lawmakers, saying, “Groundless criticism about the use of the public fund will have a negative impact on the operation of the national economy.”

Rep. Kim Young-hwan of the MDP urged the GNP to clarify the allegation that the illegal fund raised at Giyang Construction Co. was funneled to the GNP. He argued that hundreds of billions of won in public fund was lost in the process of the construction company raising the illegal fund.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim Seok-su expressed a negative view on the GNP`s proposal of the formation of an emergency economic task force. Instead, he stressed the necessity to discuss ways to make the most of the policy consultation council between the government and the rival parties.

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com