‘Nobody Immune From Rice Subsidy Investigation’

Ruling Grand National Party leader Park Hee-tae yesterday said nobody is immune from the upcoming National Assembly inquiry into the rice subsidy scandal.

“No stone should be left unturned to get to the truth,” he told The Dong-A Ilbo in an exclusive interview. “In this regard, former President Roh Moo-hyun should testify at the parliamentary probe given his previous knowledge of the illegal receipt of rice subsidies by government officials.”

“The true nature of the probe slated for Nov. 10 to Dec. 5 is to divulge the former Roh government’s attempt to cover up irregularities involving ill-conceived and wretched state farming subsidies.”

Park also dismissed the demand of the main opposition Democratic Party for the dismissal of Strategy and Finance Minister Kang Man-soo, saying, “When you sail through a storm, you shouldn`t change the captain.”

“On the revival of the deputy prime minister for the economy system, the incumbent administration’s management principle is based on the pursuit of small government,” he said.

“Given this, it is inappropriate to augment the organization by reintroducing the deputy prime minister system. Properly integrating and managing government policies are up to the prime minister.”

Park added, “To prevent the global financial crisis from spreading to Korea’s real economy, the government will continue to come up with efforts to save the real economy in every sector.”

On North Korea’s threat to cut off inter-Korean relations, he said, “Pyongyang said it will selectively allow South Korean lawmakers to visit the North. This is nothing but a clear intent to intervene in domestic politics and should be dropped immediately.”

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