Prosecutors" Break Ranks

The Blue House(Chong Wa Dae) on January 28 showed a firm position on high-ranking prosecutors disregard for the chain of command.
President Kim Dae Jung ordered Park Sang Cheon, the minister of justice, to take swift and resolute action against Shim Je Ryoon, photo, head of the Taegu High Prosecutor's Office, as well as the continuation of the investigation into the Taejon District Prosecutor's Office bribery scandal.
Park Ji Won, the chief Blue House spokesperson, told reporters, 'It is not even worth considering Shim's request for Prosecutor-General Kim Tae Jung's resignation for he still has to finish his two-year term as provided by the law. Rather, what is not acceptable is a rebellion against his leadership created by those wishing to hide their own involvement in corruption.'
The government views this ripple of discontent as the stirrings of anti-reform advocates that might be taking advantage of a resurgence in regionalism.
The government wants to fulfill its reform promise first then revive the economy. Denying an early constitutional amendment to a parlimentary cabinet system, the government is attempting to root out negative influences that still remain in the country's institutions, as early as possible.
Park continued, 'Shim's assertion is patently absurd since he is the one who is linked to the current Taejon bribery scandal. This is just an attempt to evade his own involvement. Obedience is the most significant credo in the prosecutors' organization. Any attempts to thwart justice should be penalized, harshly.'