By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Following an online statement Tuesday by former President Roh Moo-hyun confirming his involvement in the Park Yeon-cha bribery scandal, the stunned Democratic Party (DP) displayed mixed reactions of disbelief and disappointment while calling for an impartial investigation by the prosecution.
``This is an unfortunate incident. Roh must fully explain his actions in the bribery case,’’ said Rep. Song Yong-gil at a meeting of party leaders Wednesday. The former President should extend a sincere apology to the public and the prosecution must look into the case in a fair and transparent manner, he added.
``Roh’s online confession came as a shock and triggered a painful sense of shame,’’ said Rep. Park Joo-seon, also present at the meeting. ``Prosecutors must inform the public about what actually what was behind this case in a thorough investigation.’’
The governing Grand National Party also stressed the role of the prosecution in the aftermath of Roh’s confession. ``This case leads us to believe that the ideals of transparency and morality upheld by the former administration were in vain,’’ said party spokeswoman Cho Yun-seon. Prosecutors are expected to question Roh next week.
In calling for a thorough and impartial probe into the case, the largest opposition DP is trying to sever its ties with the former President, particularly in light of the April 29 by-elections.
They fear that additional findings through future legal procedures may hurt their chances in the intense race to select five lawmakers, one mayor and seven city council members in the constituencies of Deokjin, Wansan and Bupyeong, among others.
The DP and former President Roh share an uneasy history. Roh won the 2002 election on the ticket of the now-dissolved Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), a part of the current DP. The Assembly impeached Roh in March 2004.
The DP has strived to lift itself from Roh’s shadow as part of its efforts to overcome regional and ideological stereotypes and reshape its image as a party with nationwide support.
DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun has said few words about Roh’s possible involvement in the scandal and is instead intently focused on leading his party to victory in the by-elections despite current internal rifts and the additional bad news from the former President.
``The people are concerned by the historic repetition of illegal actions by former heads of state and wish to see the country move forward,’’ said Chung in a cautious remark to reporters.
Roh’s confession couldn’t come at a worse time for the liberal party, which is gearing up for battle in the by-elections, which Chung has repeatedly stressed are ``a platform for judging the incompetence of the current administration in dealing with the economic crisis.’’
The DP has recently been dominated by an intense rivalry between Chairman Chung and former Unification Minister and presidential candidate Chung Dong-young, who was recently denied a DP ticket to run in Deokjin, Jeonju, his hometown, in the upcoming contest.
Party leaders gathered Wednesday to make the final decision on their list of candidates and are expected to make it public today. Chung Dong-young is reportedly considering running as an independent in Deokjin.