MDP Suspected to Pressure Prosecution over Chyung Probe

As accusations have been hurled that the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) is directly and indirectly exercising its influence on the prosecution`s investigation into MDP Chairman Chyung Dai-chul`s receipt of 420 million won from Goodmorning City Co. and other election campaign funds, political circles are expected to be embroiled soon in another controversy.

At meeting of MDP executives on Monday, party leadership including Secretary-General Lee Sang-soo decided to discuss with the prosecution the possibility of delaying the chairman`s summons until pending issues the ruling party now faces are settled, participants at the meeting said. As this move suggests the MDP will exercise political influence over the prosecution`s probe to further its own interests, the prosecution`s response is drawing keen public attention. According to a high-ranking official at the MDP meeting, participants sought ways to lobby the prosecution to delay the questioning of Chairman Chyung.

During the meeting, MDP lawmakers pointed out mistreatment and procedural mistakes by the prosecution in carrying out the probe into a case involving assemblymen of the ruling party. To correct such problems, participants at the meeting agreed to obligate the head of the prosecution to testify before the National Assembly.

Separate from the meeting, associates of the MDP chairman and some lawmakers have been said to be lobbying Cheong Wa Dae and law-enforcement agencies not to physically incarcerate Chyung and to charge him with violating political fundraising laws, rather than with accepting 420 million won in bribes.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Secretary-General Lee said, “During the last year`s presidential election, a total of 15 billion won, including 7 billion won donated directly by corporations, was raised for campaign purposes. Of the total sum, 8 billion won was paid on bank accounts and 5 billion won was raised through private donations from individual citizens. Also, small and medium-sized corporations donated 3 billion won.”

However, ruling party senior advisor Cho Soon-hyung objected to the decision by the party leadership, saying, “If suspicions over political funds aren`t cleared up, they will haunt President Roh`s entire term of office. Therefore, if there are any wrongdoings involved, if necessary to invite outside investigators to unveil all truths, political and legal responsibilities should be met by those involved, and a public apology issued.”

Main opposition Grand National Party Chairman Choe Byung-yul urged the National Election Commission and the prosecution to launch an immediate investigation into alleged illegal fundraising by the ruling MDP. He added, “If the prosecution fails to unveil all the truths behind the case, the GNP will mobilize all possible resources to go to the bottom of the case, such as appointing a special counsel or parliamentary investigation.” Meanwhile, MDP Chairman Chyung received a summons from the prosecution on the night of July 9, requesting that he attend a questioning session to be held on July 10. Chyung refused attend, however, according to a high-ranking MDP official.

Seung-Mo Yoon Sung-Won Park ysmo@donga.com swpark@donga.com