Opposition hits president for turning down probe requests

By Yi Whan-woo

The two major liberal presidential candidates criticized President Lee Myung-bak Tuesday for rejecting a special counsel’s request for a 15-day extension of its investigation into alleged irregularities involving his now-scrapped retirement home project.

The camps of Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party (DUP) and independent Ahn Cheol-soo also blamed Park Geun-hye for the decision, claiming she orchestrated the conservative ruling Saenuri Party to demand Cheong Wae Dae turn down the request.

The special prosecution plans to end its 30-day probe Wednesday unless it receives approval from the President to extend its investigation period.

On Monday, Pesident Lee rejected the prosecution’s appeal for more time to look into the case that involves his family members as well as himself.

The scandal centers on land jointly purchased by the President’s 34-year-old son, Si-hyung, and former Presidential Security Service chief Kim In-jong to build a retirement home for the president and auxiliary facilities for his security personnel in Naegok-dong, southern Seoul.

Cheong Wa Dae said that the special counsel had already made “sufficient” progress in collecting evidence. It added a prolonged investigation will affect Dec. 19 presidential election campaigns from running in an “objective manner,” and the President’s refusal was for the “sake of the country’s future.”

Moon’s camp said Tuesday that Cheong Wa Dae is “seriously disrupting discipline and law.”

“The President himself is also deemed a suspect in the case and the fact he refused the request is intolerable.” said Rep. Woo Sang-ho, head of public relations for the DUP candidate’s campaign. “And I think justice in this country has been seriously challenged.”

He also criticized Park, citing the fact that the Saenuri Party welcomed the decision after it asked Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday to reject the request.

“I wonder why she has not said a single word on this incident,” Woo said. “She should clarify whether she made a deal with the President and also explain why her party asked him to dismiss the special prosecution’s request.”

Jin Sung-joon, a Moon spokesman, added to Woo’s remarks.

“I suspect Park was behind the scheme, ordering the Saenuri Party officials to make the proposal on the investigation,” he said. “I highly suspect the conservative party’s demand was to draw support from the aides of President Lee for the election by helping him and his family members to cover up their corruption scandal.”

Ahn’s side claimed that both President Lee and Park were responsible for the incident.

“The President and Park, as well as the Saenuri Party, have collaborated to cover up the allegations in this corruption case and discouraged the prosecution from unveiling the truth,” said Yoo Min-young, a spokesman for Ahn.

“President Lee’s refusal on an extension for the probe clearly shows that he is part of a group of people saturated with elitism, committing foul play for their benefit.”