[Editorial] It Is Now up to the Independent Counsel

The controversial bill on an independent counsel to look into the corruption scandals involving the presidential aides was passed through by the National Assembly plenary session. It is not wise to appoint an independent counsel to a case that is still in the process of being investigated by the prosecution. In principle, it is right only to push for an independent counsel when unsatisfied with the prosecution’s investigation results.

However, given that the majority opposition party is pursuing the independent counsel bill in accord with legitimate procedures, it is only reasonable that the president accept the bill. Though Cheong Wa Dae and the Uri Party obstinately insist that “the prosecution is fully investigating the case,” if the opposition party questions the impartiality of the investigation, and most of the people agree with their doubts, then there is no reason to reject an independent counsel.

The most important thing is, of course, the truth. When light was shed on the Choi Do-sul scandal, the president announced a plan for a national referendum, saying that “All seems dark in my despair.” If Choi is so close an aide that the president must volunteer for a referendum, then the truth must be revealed, leaving no suspicions behind. Even if the prosecution has revealed some facts regarding the Choi scandal, there are not many Koreans who believe that all suspicions have been cleared.

The relation between Lee Kwang-jae, the president’s former secretary for information and policy monitoring, and the corporate group, Sun and Moon, and the case of Yang Gil-seung, Roh`s former personal secretary, being lavishly entertained by a criminal suspect and owner of a nightclub also need to be further investigated. The Millennium Democratic Party is also pouring out suspicions regarding the funding for Roh’s camp in last year’s presidential elections.

It could be better for the president to resolve all the suspicions through the independent counsel. If he doesn’t, he will surely be targeted by the opposition all throughout his term, and national affairs will lose its direction and will drift. The situation must not come to this.

Since the independent counsel bill has been passed, the Grand National Party must now also fully cooperate with the prosecution’s investigation. The people will not tolerate the GNP trying to use the independent counsel as a means of taking attention away from their own presidential election funding scandal, or as a part of their strategy for the upcoming general elections. The prosecution announced that it is considering requesting a ruling on competence disputes to the Constitutional Court. The GNP should think hard about from where the prosecution’s mistrust comes.