UNDP Submits Impeachment Bill against Prosecutors

The whirlwinds of the prosecution’s announcement of the results of its probe into the BBK stock price manipulation case are striking the political community, Cheong Wa Dae, and the prosecution.

The United New Democratic Party (UNDP) Monday submitted to the National Assembly an impeachment bill against three senior prosecutors - Kim Hong-il, Choi Jae-gyeong and Kim Ki-dong - who conducted an investigation into the BBK stock rigging scandal.

UNDP floor leader Kim Hyo-seok said, “In order to conceal the truth about Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak’s de-facto ownership of DAS, BBK, and a piece of land in Dogok, Seoul, prosecutors made the crime appear as if it was committed by Kim Gyeong-jun alone, ignoring the Constitution and the legal order.”

Once the impeachment bill is referred to the plenary session, lawmakers must vote in a secret ballot within 24 to 72 hours. If the vote does not take place within the time, the bill will be dismissed. This is the second time for an impeachment bill against incumbent prosecutors to be submitted since the impeachment motion against Prosecutor General Park Soon-yong and Deputy Prosecutor General Shin Seung-nam in 2000.

Regarding the UNDP’s submission of the impeachment bill, GNP Spokesman Park Hyeong-jun said, “This is an act of political violence and a serious infringement upon the Constitution. The New Party’s own reckless law seems to exist above the Constitution. The New Party is trying to take a path of destruction which no political party has ever taken in the country`s Constitutional history.”

GNP Rep. Jeong Du-eon also denounced the impeachment bill on Monday, saying that the alleged claim that the GNP orchestrated the extradition of the disgraced financier Kim is groundless. “If the allegation is investigated, it will reveal a written promise that (the pro-ruling camp) gave to Kim Gyeong-jun.”

“The Uri Party, UNDP presidential candidate Chung Dong-young, and related aides contacted Kim. (The secret memo) specifically mentions what they would do in return for Kim’s help,” Jeong Du-eon said during a radio interview.

Meanwhile, the prosecution was also furious about the impeachment bill, saying, “This is a public opinion-led attack which does not follow due legal steps.” Prosecutors Kim and Choi, who now face impeachment, also refuted each of the 11 grounds for impeachment during a press conference. “If the impeachment bill is passed by questioning the use of prosecutors’ own right to prosecute, the prosecution’s investigation into cases concerning the political circles will frequently face stumbling blocks and this is exactly contrary to the idea that prosecutors maintains neutrality from politics. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon also criticized the impeachment bill during a press briefing. “Impeaching an incumbent prosecutor should only be done if it is evident that he or she has committed a major crime. However, suspicions raised upon them are not sufficient enough for impeachment.”

With regard to the request of UNDP candidate Chung Dong-young that President Roh Moo-hyun should exercise his right to probe the activities undertaken by the prosecution’s BBK case investigation team, Cheon said, “It is doubtful whether the requirements to launch an investigation into their duties have been met and whether distrust on the prosecution can be resolved through the audit.”