Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
Moon calls for disclosing summit minutes
Rep. Moon Jae-in
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
Rep. Moon Jae-in suggested Sunday that parties agree to read original transcripts of the 2007 inter-Korean summit kept in the National Archives of Korea (NAK) as presidential records.
He believes this will resolve the controversy surrounding late Roh Moo-hyun’s alleged offer to give up the nation’s sea border.
The former presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) promised to retire from politics if the original transcripts show that Roh really disavowed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
Moon served as presidential chief of staff to the late President Roh.
“I ask parties to read minutes of the summit kept in the NAK to resolve the division of national unity,” said Moon in a statement.
He said opposition parties produced different interpretations of Roh’s comments contained in the transcripts that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) disclosed late June and this amplified the controversy and the resulting public confusion that ensued.
According to the transcripts kept at the NIS, Roh said, “I agreed with you (Kim). The NLL should be overhauled.”
The DP earlier argued that the record in the possession of the NIS is a duplicate of the original version. So, the original documents and recorded tapes in the NAK should be disclosed to establish the truth, as there is possibility that the spy agency manipulated the copy of the records.
Moon also said the confusion came as the Oct. 4 inter-Korean Joint Declaration signed by the two late leaders did not specify the location and range of their envisioned joint fishing area in the West Sea.
“Thus, if lawmakers check the original version that will show how Roh and his administration planed to set up a joint fishing zone and how he demanded the plan to the North, all controversy will end,” said Moon.
Moon argued that Roh’s plan was to establish such a zone around the NLL, without touching the line.
“Roh also planned to suggest operating a joint system to manage the area in a peaceful way. I believe the measure was the best way to secure peace and to enhance income of our fishermen as it could also prevent Chinese fishing boats from invading the area,” said Moon.
Under present law, presidential records are kept secret for 15 years and can only be opened to the public upon approval by more than two-thirds of lawmakers or a high court warrant.