[Editorial] Allegation that Government is Helping MDP

Ominous signs are showing as specters of changing public feelings for political advantage, which appeared in every election season, are brought to life. Talk of Government intervention and pork barrel plans of the government is giving birth to worries that the nation would go back to the past backward state in terms of election campaign.

Recently the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) tried to distribute pamphlets praising the performance of President Kim Dae-jung. Though the ministry said that it was part of its annual activities, the timing was not proper. If the ministry used common sense, it would not produce such books at this critical time. If it intentionally did conscious of the ripple effect it would bring to the election landscape, it did run counter to the principle that it should maintain the neutral stance.

Of course, the ministry stopped handing out the material. But the incident is stirring up controversy, because of the ministry`s announcement of some economic policies for political advantage. A case in point is the pro-government Millennium Democratic Party (MDP)`s measure to give more people an opportunity for application for workout. The MDP argued that the plan was made in consultation with the MOFE, but the ministry fatly denied it. However, considering that the issue has been discussed for a while within the government, the plan made by the MDP seems a co-production of the government and the MDP.

Another example is Nonghyup`s decision to implement a special aid measure to help farming households, which otherwise get into financial trouble. Why is it trying to carry out such a plan at this time? There is a possibility of political circles involved in the decision.

Against this backdrop, it is very difficult to buy President Kim`s emphasis on fair and clear campaign management. As for the continuing pork barrel economic policies, people are taking a jaundiced view of Jeon Yun-cheol, prime minister for economic affairs. It could be because of his career as chief presidential secretary, or his lack of prudence. In any case, there is some problem.

In that the government` intervention and its pork barrel projects works instantly in elections, they are all the more problematic. In the end, the President is responsible for all of them. Instead of denying its engagement, the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae should crackdown on such cases. Such specters around election could bring a lot of damage to people in the future.