[Editorial] Rep. Kim Young-iel, Answer the Summons

It is wrong of the Grand National Party (GNP) Rep. Kim Young-iel, who once answered the summons in connection with receiving SK slush funds, to abruptly reject the prosecution’s summons yesterday. Together with Rep. Choi Don-woong, who is the source of the scandal and had challenged the prosecution’s additional summons, their behavior cannot but be scolded for playing dirty and for hiding themselves behind the “bulletproof National Assembly.”

Kim took charge of the secretary-general of the opposition GNP position during the presidential election, therefore he must present himself at the prosecution and make the campaign funds scandal clear. Nevertheless, he rejected answering the summons, saying, “It is undesirable for me to appear at the prosecution as a victim of the target investigation under the situation of these baseless rumors being established as a fact.” This is just a poor excuse. He should answer the summons and clarify his position in the situation.

Related to the GNP’s illegal presidential campaign funds, several suspicions are bulging out. The latest “Weekly Donga” reports as if the chairman of SK Group Son Kil-seung saying, “The GNP told me it wanted 10 billion won of allocated money for the former presidential election.” Son said he had to give money because the GNP threatened him and said if the GNP came into power, then the GNP would target SK Group and assess taxes.

The three opposition parties passed a bill authorizing an investigation by an independent counsel into corruption allegations involving the aides of President Roh Moo-hyun three days ago. The axis of the affair belongs to the majority GNP. If this is so, the GNP must beneficially help the prosecution in order to clearly define the independent counsel’s moral obligations. It is hypocritical for the GNP to insist for a thorough investigation of the president’s aides although the GNP itself is averting the prosecution’s investigation of the presidential campaign funds. It is questionable whether or not the GNP will censure the prosecution for its denial of the independent counsel.

The two lawmakers must appear before the prosecution. Also, the working-level party leaders who have been summoned must be sent to the prosecution. This is the way to keep the GNP alive.