Renew anticorruption fight

Renew anticorruption fight

The prosecution has resumed investigations into illegal
fundraising for the 2002 presidential campaigns and other
corruption scandals, which it suspended prior to the April 15
general elections. In addition, it has been given a new job to
investigate those suspected of breaching the election law during
their recent campaigns.

Recently, it summoned a former National Assembly vice speaker
suspected of taking money from an affiliate of a chaebol business
group for questioning. It also interrogated a former leader of
the Millennium Democratic Party suspected of taking an illegal
contribution from an apartment builder.

It says it will bring in other suspect politicians in the near
future. But it seems that the criminal investigations into
illegal fundraising have lost much of their steam, as they are
apparently entering their final stage. The prosecution does not
appear to be as enthusiastic about them as it was at the outset.

Before the elections were held, the prosecution said Booyoung
Co., an apartment builder, created a 100 billion won slush fund
and implied that the case would develop into a big scandal
involving many politicians. But little progress has since been
reported.

Nor does the prosecution seem to be delving deeply into new
allegations that some of the companies, which made illegal
donations to the presidential candidates, had additional secret,
off-the-book, funds.

The prosecution, however, is urged to double its efforts to
bring to light all the shady deals between political parties and
corporations before tying up the loose ends. It must not let up
on its investigations if it is to sever collusive links between
the political and business communities, as it promised.

New possibilities in this regard were found in the general
elections, as the prosecution's determination to fight against
corruption no doubt helped reduce the cost of the election to the
National Assembly this time.

Here again, the law-enforcement agency will have to deal
sternly with those suspected of breaching the election rules for
the sake of clean politics.

-- The Korea Herald, Seoul