Roh, "Chung Wa Dae Suffers Lame Duck Syndrome"

Roh Moo-hyun, presidential candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) said on the 25th that the presidential office of Chung Wa Dae is losing its control over the officialdom considering the eavesdropping by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the leakage of confidential military information and other problems arising in the prosecution.

He also urged President Kim to tighten the official discipline until the end of its term.

Roh said in a press conference held in the MDP headquarters that the official discipline has been weakened against the President`s will and public officials in major government agencies are desperately seeking their own personal interests while putting the public good on the back burner.

Regarding the controversy over the alleged eavesdropping by the NIS, Roh said, “It is uncertain whether the NIS has actually conduct wiretapping, but the fact that wiretapped data have been leaked to specific politicians shows the laxity of the official discipline.” He also emphasized,“The politicians behind the eavesdropping scandal, the head of the NIS, and the government should take responsibility for this scandal.”

With regards to the secret financial aid worth 400 billion won to North Korea, he said, “If the money were not sent to North Korea, it means that the Hyundai Group illegally used the money inside the company. The prosecution should trace the company`s account book, appoint a special council and carry out a parliamentary investigation into the issue."

Roh also urged a thorough investigation into a number of scandals surrounding presidential candidates including the draft-dodging scandal, allegations of stock price manipulation by Hyundai Electronics and illegal fund-raising by a Construction company.

He said that it was the President should instruct the prosecution to conduct a fair probe based on principles.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com