President Warns Prosecutors

President Roh Moo-hyun accused prosecutors yesterday, saying that they can target the incumbent administration and himself, but that they should do so legally.

President Roh, presiding over a State Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day, said, “It doesn’t matter whether or not there are prosecutors who are damaging to the current administration. However, their illegal investigation is not acceptable.” His remarks are interpreted as an attempt to prevent himself from being a lame duck leader during his last year in office by keeping in check the prosecutors’ investigation into Cheong Wa Dae.

At the meeting, Health and Welfare Minister Rhyu Si-min was first to urge prosecutors to clean up their conduct, right after a briefing by Justice Minister Kim Seong-ho on the inspection results of investigators who were alleged to have intimidated a criminal suspect into plea bargaining during their probe of the corruption scandal surrounding the JU Group.

Rhyu refuted Kim’s statement, saying, “Former Presidential Secretary Lee Jae-soon was found not guilty with regard to the JU scandal. However, there seems to be no way to restore his reputation, which has been gravely tarnished by the media criticism.” He also asked, “Are the rumors true that anyone botching Cheong Wa Dae becomes a hero within the legal circle? If so, isn’t this a serious problem to the public order and discipline?”

In response, the president aligned himself with Rhyu and said, “I have avoided mentioning the issue out of concern that presidential intervention in the prosecutors’ practices might invite huge troubles. If Cheong Wa Dae was unable to deal with them, how can the socially underprivileged take issue with their high-end practices? They should take into consideration the general public and those without much power.” He added that his remarks are targeting prosecutors and that he would not hold them accountable and stop right there.

Roh also expressed regret over the bill to set up an anti-corruption body within the public officialdom, which failed to be made into law in the face of prosecutors’ resistance. He said, “If the bill had passed the National Assembly floor, prosecutors could have carried out fair investigation into the JU Group.”

Presidential Chief of Staff Moon Jae-in joined him in accusing prosecutors, particularly mentioning the demotion of JU probe investigators. Regarding the issue, he said, “Whenever something goes wrong, prosecutors send those responsible to local prosecutors’ offices, which raises the eyebrows of local residents in provincial areas. This may erode their confidence.”

Meanwhile, the president ordered officials to negotiate a Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement on the principle of bringing about economic gains and not to be occupied with non-economic issues. He said that Korea will conclude the FTA only when it can surely serve national interests and bring economic benefits.

Roh added, “It would be perfect if we could finish negotiations before the expiration of the U.S. Trade Promotion Authority. Even if it is difficult, the Korean government might continue the negotiation despite some procedural inconveniences.”

The TPA, which U.S. Congress granted to the Bush administration to fast track trade deals, expires on April 2. Presidential Spokesperson Yoon Seung-yong explained, “We will not engage in any short-changing deal, but we are still pursuing the KORUS FTA.”

jyw11@donga.com