[Editorial] Suspicion over Alleged Obstruction in the Investigation of the Independent Counsel: Is It True or Not?

It has not yet been confirmed whether remarks made by Lee Woo-seung, a deputy to the independent counsel looking into alleged illegal campaign fund raising by aides to President Roh Moo-hyun, when he offered to resign, are true because there are some disagreements among those concerned. However, his claims that the prosecutor dispatched to the independent counsel’s office hindered the investigation should be closely looked into.

Lee said 11.5 billion won in loans issued by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup) to Sun and Moon group in the lead-up to the presidential poll is illegal since it violated the rules and regulations. Even though it was reported a Nonghyup official claimed it was mistakes, the loans are clearly suspected of illegal money. The independent counsel team should successfully resolve the current dispute and closely examine the alleged illicit loans involving Lee Kwang-jae, a close aide to the president.

It is wrong for Lee to have kick the suspect in the leg and to have asked his investigators to reveal the truth even with using violence. However, it should be reviewed whether the internal fray has been caused since the dispatched prosecutor much more strongly identified himself with the prosecution than the independent counsel, a temporary team. It is absolutely wrong if the dispatched prosecutor reports to the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office about the investigation since the independent counsel is investigating into the alleged corruption by close aides to the president. Lee claimed that the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office had been reported by the dispatched prosecutor, while the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office denied such an incident. It would be much better if Lee provided proper evidence to prove his claims.

The public would be disappointed if the independent counsel, which was launched after going through the reconsideration in the National Assembly, would not bring out the fruitful results due to the internal conflicts. Not to lose the public’s trust for the independent counsel, the allegations for the alleged obstruction of the investigation should be clearly revealed.