The National Assembly continues to be unable to figure out whether or not to have Samsung chairman Lee Kun Hee summoned as a witness. While the discussion was going on Lee left the country for the United States, stating health reasons. Now even if the Assembly does choose him as a witness it is increasingly likely it will end up being like a dog who was chasing a chicken that's now sitting up high on a roof.
Actually when the Assembly's Judiciary and Legislative Committee and the Intelligence Committee both decided not to call him as a witness the issue rather fizzled out. Everyone wants to know whether the country will hear Lee's testimony, in his own voice, about the former Agency for National Security Planning's "X File," and the that key part of the whole issue is now missing. All that's left now is a decision by the Finance and Economy Committee, where it remains unclear whether or not Lee will be asked to testify. What you're seeing is a perfect replay of how the politicians shrink in size whenever they stand before the Samsung group.
The primary responsibility for the situation having come to this of course lies with the Grand National Party (GNP), but Uri Party deserves criticism, too. It keeps backpedaling on the question of whether to summon Lee and it has failed to demonstrate political leadership on the matter. Uri and the GNP have even mentioned calling in president Roh Moo Hyun and GNP chairwoman Park Geun Hye as witnesses in the Assembly's annual review of government affairs, turning the Assembly into a comedy.
It is unpleasant to have Lee suddenly depart for the US at such a time. You can't protest if he left because of his health as Samsung is saying, but it's hard to rid yourself of the suspicion that he left to make his escape. Lee went to the US during the 2004 investigation into illegal donations made during the previous presidential election, returning only when the investigation concluded. You wonder why he has to go to an American hospital for an examination when there's that Samsung Seoul Hospital that Samsung proudly says has the highest global standards. It is really unfortunate if Lee took off with the shallow idea that he will try to "avoid the passing rain and then see what happens from there."
The Hankyoreh, 16 September 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Politicians Who Shrink At the Sight of Samsung |
