[EDITORIALS]Don't Pussyfoot With Lee Document

As doubts about the scandal regarding the G&G Group chairman, Lee Yong-ho, increased, the Grand National Party attracted public attention by insisting that there is a document detailing how Mr. Lee gave money to politicians and government officials. The opposition party released some parts of the document, arguing that it was based on a reliable report. The opposition said that it had informed the minister of justice. However, the prosecutors strongly denied existence of such a document and accused the opposition for making a groundless argument.

Because the Grand National Party made parts of the document public in detail, it is difficult to see the report as simply false. A senior member of the opposition party argued that the document included a list of high profile prosecutors, public servants, politicians and "an influential figure whom even the opposition party would be surprised to know." The opposition said the prosecutors had already obtained the document in concern; it will make the document public if the prosecutors tried to downscale the investigation or concealed the truth.

If Mr. Lee left such a document detailing lobbying activities and fund management, it is an important piece of investigation material and perhaps decisive evidence. The valuable information, which bares the whole picture of the scandal and its development, can end the investigation easily. The document can resolve at once confusion, frustration, anger and questions of the public caused by snowballing doubts.

The document's contents, claimed by the Grand National Party, should be thoroughly and promptly investigated. To this end, the opposition party should provide the document - if it does exist - and the nature of the material to the prosecutors in order to cooperate. Partisanship between the opposition and ruling parties cannot be allowed when resolving people's doubts as well as irregularities and corruption. Furthermore, pressuring an investigative agency and initiating political maneuvering against the ruling party based on the outside report are not appropriate for a party representing the people.

As the document in concern stir up another dispute, the prosecution suffers from a series of misfortunes. As the crisis deepens, facing the problems head-on is always the best answer.