Prosecution, Hinting at Delaying Probes into Other Chaebol

Suh Young-je, newly appointed chief of the Seoul District Public Prosecutor`s Office, hinted that he would not expand the prosecution`s current probe into SK Group to other family-owned conglomerates on Thursday, saying, "The prosecution should exercise its right in the direction of promoting a nation`s economic development and international competitiveness."

"Prosecutors should consider all factors in investigating financial scandals. According to Article 51 of the criminal law, prosecutors shall consider all situations and factors related to the case," Mr. Suh said at a meeting with reporters on Thursday afternoon.

"If an indictment contributes to putting a country in danger, the indictment should not be made," he said. "Before the indictment, prosecutors should consider national development."

Earlier in his inauguration speech he also stressed that the prosecution should consider all factors and then exercise its right, instead of sticking to the way of thinking whether there is suspicion or not.

Myoung-Gun Lee gun43@donga.com