Poll shows strong support for probe of funds to North

A new survey by the JoongAng Ilbo shows a strong public preference for a thorough investigation and judicial handling of the cash-for-summit controversy.

A poll conducted Wednesday by the newspaper asked 1,045 persons aged 21 or older for their opinions on how to handle charges that a Hyundai Group affiliate sent $200 million to North Korea with Seoul's assistance to induce North Korea to host the 2000 inter-Korean summit meeting.

More than 70 percent of the respondents said an independent counsel must be named to investigate the case. Over 28 percent said the matter was "very necessary" and almost 45 percent said it was "somewhat necessary." The other two choices were "somewhat unnecessary" and "absolutely unnecessary."

Six out of 10 disagreed with President Kim Dae-jung's contention that the matter was not fit for legal scrutiny, and about the same number disputed his contention that its fell under the his presidential prerogatives. More than six out of 10 said they disagree to the argument that the case was a "presidential prerogative." More than seven out of 10, furthermore, said that the case, if it is against the law, is a matter of judicial action whether it involved presidential prerogative or not.

Sixty percent of the respondents agreed with the prosecution's decision not to initiate an investigation until after the Assembly deals with the matter.

About half the said they thought the money was used to buy the inter Korean summit; 41 percent disagreed. More than six out of 10 said the funds transfer did not contribute to the development of North-South relations.

by Ahn Boo-keun