“I Will Still Offer Accountability for BBK If I Become President”

Grand National Party (GNP) presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak said on November 5, “I have never been suspicious of Lee Hoi-chang, former leader of the GNP, so I haven’t actually prepared for (his running for the presidential election).”

In a Gwanhun Club discussion at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on that day, he said, “I feel disturbed about the politics in Korea.”

He went on to say, “As he is a man of discretion and principle, what I can do is to continue to persuade him.”

Regarding his involvement in manipulating share prices of BBK, he said, “I will take full responsibility if there are any issues arising in relation to the BBK, even if I become the president.”

In response to the claim: “Lee Myung-bak has not made enough efforts to embrace Lee Hoi-chang and Park Geun-hye, former leaders of the GNP,” he said, “If I seemed that way, then it should be my responsibility and I admit part of the claims.” He added, “I will spare no effort to improve relations with Park.”

By contrast, Park downplayed Lee Myung-bak’s close aide Lee Jae-oh’s apology about his comment: “I will not just sit idle,” saying, “I don’t deem it as an apology.”

Park also rejected Lee Myung-bak’s suggestion of a meeting, saying, “Because there is no change in what I first said, there is no need to meet him.”

taylor55@donga.com