[Editorial] Wiretapping: a Matter President Himself Has to Address

If a third party knows what two people talked about in person, the third party must have eavesdropped. If the two people had talked over the phone, then the third party must have wiretapped. Wiretapping is like stealing the ideas and thoughts of others. That is why it is more heinous than stealing belongings of others. We get just scared when we know some is secretly listening to what I talk, but do not know exactly who.

That is happening now. The Grand National Party`s report on the National Intelligence Service`s wiretapping cases demonstrates how rampantly and randomly wiretapping has been conducted. We just got confused, listening to the stern denial of the National Intelligence Service. Even Speaker of House Park Kwon-yong said that he has been wiretapped. He promised, "If the wiretapping scandal just ends up as a scandal, I will amend all the relevant laws." Doesn`t it tell us something?

It does not seem difficult to get the bottom of the wiretapping scandal. In our society, only a few groups can collect intelligence from every corner of society with such high technology and know-how. The National Intelligence Service and the Millennium Democratic Party point to a private detective team as a possible culprit. Nobody, however, buys their weird allegation. How could a private detective team conduct a wiretapping in such a large scale and in such a thorough way? Therefore, Kim Dae-jung administration can swiftly silence all the disputes regarding the scandal, if it wants to.

President Kim Dae-jung should roll up his sleeves, and get down to it. First, if what the Grand National Party argues is true, it indicates that the National Intelligence Service has conducted a large-scale surveillance on politicians and the press. Therefore, it becomes a matter of national interest. Second, it is a matter pitting a gigantic opposition party against the highest intelligence agency in this country. Therefore, it is a political question requiring involvement of President. Third, citizens are worried about their privacy. Therefore, it is not a matter to be avoided and passed down to the next administration. Fourth, the National Intelligence Agency is directly monitored by President.

Simply repeating that the government does not conduct illegal wiretappings does not help citizens regain trust in the government. Taking that evasive position will not benefit the government and the ruling party (i.e. the Millennium Democratic Party), either. On the other hand, the Grand National Party should stop treating this matter as a political agenda. It should reveal whatever it can in order to clear out all the doubts and find out the truth. The prosecution should also take actions. It should stop trying to read what politicians think.