GNP Must Move to Appoint Hanvit Bank Prosecutor, Says Rhee In-je

A high-ranking ruling party official said a special prosecutor could be appointed to investigate the illegal loan scandal at Hanvit Bank if the opposition party returns to the National Assembly.

"We could appoint a special prosecutor if the Grand National Party brought it for discussion to the floor. There is both a need for and public consensus behind assigning a special prosecutor," said Rep. Rhee In-je, one of the 12 co-chairmen of the Millennium Democratic Party, on September 7.

"The National Assembly has the power to investigate any case, but for the GNP to boycott the assembly to take to outdoor rallies is incomprehensible," Rhee told reporters as he came out of a meeting of party co-chairmen.

However, Rep. Rhee said he would not support the appointment of a special prosecutor if it is done without going through the National Assembly and adopted solely for the purpose of a criminal prosecution.

Rhee's remarks come a day after Rep. Kim Kyung-jae, taking part in the MDP general assembly, urged the party to move to designate a special prosecutor. The Hanvit Bank illegal loan scandal allegedly implicates top insiders of the Kim Dae-jung administration.

by Lee Jong-min