[Editorial] Even The President’s Right Hand

It is said that Lee Kwang-jae, a former chief of administration circumstances, who received 100 million won from Sun & Moon, will be given a judicial settlement on charges of violating a political funding law. Lee explained that he gave the 100 million won he received to the Millennium Democratic Party, but that they didn’t give him a receipt for it. However, Lee Sang-soo who was in charge of finances at that time said that he never received such funds.

The truth will come to light soon, but it is still a great shock that Lee received money. I wonder where we can find the morality in this administration if even Lee, President Roh’s right hand man, who positioned himself as a champion of reform, receives a judicial settlement.

It is Lee’s attitude that rouses the ire of the nation. Whenever lawmakers of the opposition parties raised suspicions, Lee denied them, saying, “Don’t criticize me in a cowardly way with the privilege of exemption from liability for your words. If you are confident then open the matter to the public outside of the National Assembly.” When he was confronted with a strong demand for his resignation from a new party in October, he appealed with tearful eyes saying that he was patriotic, hardworking and humble though not perfect. What can he say to the nation now?

Lee is a core power in 386 (those in their 30’s, who studied at universities in the 1980’s and were born in the 1960’s). President Roh even acknowledged Lee as his political partner. This tells us how important Lee was that Moon Hee-sang, the chief secretary to the president, said that his heart was torn with sorrow when the 38-year-old Lee resigned. I cannot find any other historical record of a chief secretary making such remark about a resignation.

President Roh and his close aides from 386 should learn a lesson from Lee’s situation. President Roh should appoint those who have great administrative ability and skills to positions of trust, instead of those who find favor in his eyes. Even in the Uri Party, the governing party, there is a strong demand for a review and restructuring of close aides and personnel. If among the close aides from 386, there are people who look at the world as a dichotomy between “reform” and “anti-reform”, they should change their thought process. That is the best way to help the president and to not disgrace a great number of 386 politicians who are out of power.