[Editorial] Suspicion of Choi Do-sul has Not Been Cleared Up.

The former presidential aide, Choi Do-sul, who has served President Roh for about 20 years, has been arrested under suspicion of taking a large amount of money from SK just after the presidential election last year. This corruption of the government came as a great shock, for Roh’s regime has set out with the motto of ethical manner and revolution of the government. The government is so severely bucketing about this that its identity might be rooted upside down in a moment. But, this is not the end of examining the suspicions of Choi, but just the beginning of it. Still the type, its connection with the president, and where the money was spent are obscure.

Since Roh’s declaration of a confidence vote is based on the corruption of Choi, it runs over the problem of a mere individual. President Roh already has remarked that, “I cannot say that I don’t know. Everything was pitched dark around me.” For this reason, the three opposition parties are egging on Roh’s explanation, pushing ahead with congress inspection on the government, and special examination of the prosecutors.

There is a rumor going around that the money was the type of “congratulatory gift for getting elected.” The day when Choi received money was just after the day of presidential election, also being the marriage day of Roh’s son. If it came about in the period of presidential campaign, it could be looked on as a bribe. But, it was just a day after the election; we should call it as a typical corruption of authority.

The prosecutors have to avoid calling up the special inspection once again. They have to clear up SK’s target of bribery, other sources of corruption, and additional conspiracy with the president. It is also important for the president to lighten up what he wants to say, for it would be a way to wipe out the curiosity that the prosecutor might be held up when they look into the case related to the president. The opposition has to be also discreet on careless political aggression except the case of having a concrete evidences.

The confidence vote can not go forward without sorting out the suspicion of Choi. It totally depends on the president and the prosecutors.