[Editorial] A Politicized Special Prosecutor Bill

The United New Democratic Party, the Democratic Labor Party, and the Creative Korea Party submitted a special prosecutor bill to investigate Samsung slush fund allegations to the National Assembly yesterday. That the three parties did so even before the Prosecutors’ Office started its investigation is a clear sign they are taking advantage of the issue politically. It is a gross manipulation.

The bill is too broad and far-reaching in its scope in that it targets illegal lobby and slush funds raised by Samsung Group since 1997. Moreover, under the bill, special prosecutors can investigate up to 200 days, 2 to 3 times longer than before. Samsung, a leading global company, which is engaged in a fierce competition in the world market, will have hard time keeping its competitiveness if it is bogged down with a possible probe. If Samsung Group suffers, the national economy will suffer, too.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Yun Jong-yong expressed his concern, saying, “The business environment is not favorable because of high oil prices, the weak dollar, and the rise of China. Amid these difficulties, the recent development comes as double whammy to us.” If special prosecutors seize Samsung’s corporate books and subpoena company executives and grill them for a long time, the conglomerate won’t do well, inevitably putting a damper on the national economy.

The case involving Samsung Everland’s illegal issuance of convertible bonds is currently pending in the Supreme Court. Special prosecutor investigating into an ongoing case is a severe encroachment of judicial power. The special prosecutor bill could cause chaos and side effects in the judicial system.

Initially, Cheong Wa Dae seemed sympathetic with the special prosecutor proposal, but yesterday it opposed the idea. Some said that Cheong Wa Dae is now against the idea because “celebration money” for the election of President Roh was included in the target investigation list. The president should clarify his position on the issue, regardless of inclusion of “celebration money.” The Korean economy and Korean people’s livelihoods can’t afford to have ‘politicized special prosecutors’ probing into the matter.

The Prosecutors’ Office said it would carry out an independent investigation by forming a special investigative watchdog committee. This remark seem to be a reaction to the submitted bill, but technically, a watchdog committee is an organization under the command of the prosecutor general. It is possible that the prosecutor general, who allegedly took a Samsung bribe, could be grilled by his own organization. The appointment of new head prosecutor Lim Chae-jin needs to be put on hold until the truth comes to light. It is a good idea to put an acting-prosecutor general in place and forgo special prosecutors for now.