This Investigation, the Start of Political Overhaul?

AS the prosecution resumed its investigation into a scandal involving Nara Investment Banking Corp, some ruling and opposition politicians analyze that this investigation will expand to an overhaul.

Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) is especially sensitive to the development of the investigation.

New mainstream of MDP worry that this investigation will weaken their position within the part now that President Roh`s associates Ahn Hui-jung, Yeom Dong-yeon are known to have received money from the company.

They say, “In 1999 when money was allegedly received to them, president Roh`s associates didn`t have much political influence. We don’t think this case will cause much problem because the company gave the money just as a support.” But their faces are not that bright.

In the meantime, old forces in the party is poised to use this case as an opportunity to attack the new bloods who have put the pressure on them and asked comprehensive party reform. But they also cannot hide worry of aftermath of the investigation for fear that the investigation will be aimed at them later.

In the last presidential election, Grand National Party (GNP) maintained that Nara Investment Banking Corp. lobbied Mr. H and P, who were most influential in the ruling party then, for being protected from shutdown. At that time, within the ruling party, a list was circulated of certain high-school graduates.

One old force of MDP worries saying, “President Roh may be trying to strengthen his reform effort by severely punishing his associates.”

GNP which focuses on attacking the president`s associates involving this scandal also shows keen interest in the development of this investigation. They analyze that the ruling camp is now trying to lead political reform by investigating president`s associates first, and then old bloods in MDP, and finally GNP.

Some GNP members pay attention to the prosecution`s reinvestigation into the election fund raise scandal involving National Tax Service. Around 5-6 GNP members are now suspected of being involved in the scandal.

Representative Hong Jun-pyo insists, “The ruling camp might well strictly deal with the scandal involving president`s associates to use as a chance of a political overhaul.”

Yeon-Wook Jung Sung-Won Park jyw11@donga.com swpark@donga.com