[Editorial] Prosecution Investigating Only NIS?

The investigation into accusations the National Intelligence Service (NIS) engaged in illegal eavesdropping during the government of Kim Dae Jung is entering its final stages, the only issue left to be decided being whether or not to prosecute the men who served as directors of the NIS during that period. The investigation into the very same activity by the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) during the government of Kim Young Sam, however, has made relatively less progress. That investigation has hit a wall because former high-level ANSP officials are either completely denying the charges or evading the questions with answers like, "I don't remember." It is possible that if the predicament continues the case could end with nothing left but the physical evidence of the illegal eavesdropping, without any concrete revelation about what actually transpired or who was responsible. It's just dumbfounding that those who have confessed their crimes could be punished while those who are lying might be able to artfully dodge the reach of the law.

The investigation into the contents of the so-called "X File" like suspected "illegal lobbying" by Samsung is also going nowhere. Former JoongAng Ilbo president Hong Seok Hyun holds the keys to solving the case, but he keeps postponing his return to Korea so investigators are not doing anything about the case. There are rumors Hong will arrive in Seoul next week, but it has been several times already that he has made plane reservations only to cancel them, so it remains to be seen what happens. The prosecution needs to use stronger methods such as seeking the cooperation of American law enforcement authorities, instead of leisurely waiting for him to return on his own.

It is time to resolve the question of whether to disclose or investigate the contents of the 274 eavesdropping tapes discovered in the home of Gong Un Yeong, former head of the "Mirim Team" at the NASP that was behind for the illegal activity at the time. The ruling party submitted a "special law" proposal to the National Assembly and the main opposition party submitted a bill that would appoint an independent prosecutor, but you worry that maybe they totally lost interest in the tapes while campaigning for the recent by-elections. An investigation based on the contents of the tapes is necessary for, among other things, uprooting the collusive relationship between politics, business, and the media, which is a chronic disease afflicting the country. The National Assembly needs to negotiate quickly and reach a conclusion about what course of action to take.

The Hankyoreh, 2 November 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]