[Editorial] Prosecution in Hands of President

Remarks made by President Roh Moo-hyun at a meeting with the leadership of the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) has touched off controversy. Meeting with GNP leaders, he said, "The prosecution has been taken hold of tightly."

This can be interpreted as meaning that the president has succeeded in appeasing the prosecution`s collective protests against prosecution reform. However, there is room for other thoughts because of the strong words used. The president has gained an upper hand in the prosecution and cannot let it go.

It is not certain whether the remarks are only a slip of the tongue or are based on his own understanding of the prosecution. Anyway, it is certain that the prosecutors, recovering from the recent unprecedented reshuffle, will be agitated, though they do not show it. The same is true for the saying that "prosecutors lost an opportunity because of their mistakes in strategy." Regarding the object of reform as an enemy that should have been fought better is not appropriate.

The president and the prosecution should not get too close. But they should not make the impression that they are at odds, either. Aside from the prosecution`s aim of political neutrality, hostility between the two could bring about potentially damaging side effects. The tug of war between the nation`s two powers could create tensions unnecessarily, thereby reducing its impact on society at large.

We hope that this concern will turn out to be groundless. And we also hope that the president will keep his promise not to engage in behind-the-scenes deals with the prosecution. It is questionable that there could be a relationship based on equal footing between the president and the "prosecution in his hands." It is highly likely though that unseemly deals could prevail. Therefore, President Roh should let go of the prosecution. Reform in the prosecution should be carried out on its own after it is put back together.

To do so, the president should fulfill his promise to give the prosecution`s personnel committee deliberation right in personnel matters. Without the fulfillment of this promise, prosecutors cannot but curry favor with political circles, not overcoming temptation for promotion. Reform of the prosecution should be left to it.