Special Counsel to Dig up Presidential Aides’ Corruption Appointed

President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday appointed Kim Jin-hong, a law professor at Dankook University, as a special counsel to investigate irrationalities of his close aides.

Kim will commence the first stage of the investigation around January 6 for two months, after 20 days of investigation preparation time.

“He earned a strong trust among his superiors and subordinates with his fine personality and rational and fair work handlings while serving as a military advocate for some 20 years,” presidential spokesman Yoon Tai-young said. “He has been actively working as a barrister since the opening of his law office in 1990 and gained respect as a man of integrity and fairness,” Yoon further elaborated on the background of the appointment.

“Lawyer Park In-hwan, who was recommended by the Korean Federal Bar Association along with Kim, is also as highly qualified as Kim in terms of work handling capabilities and personality, but Kim was thought to be more competent for this case as he has greater work experience,” Yoon added.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com