[EDITORIALS]Time to reveal the truth

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[EDITORIALS]Time to reveal the truth

The court has acquitted two central figures in the case where a large amount of money was suspected to have been diverted from the government’s spy agency to fund the 1996 legislative campaign of the ruling party at the time. The verdict is an indicator that the 120 billion won ($104 million) are probably illegal funds of former President Kim Young-sam. It is time for him to confess. In order to collect more evidence and shed some light on the truth, the prosecution should investigate the former president as soon as possible.
Kang Sam-jae, former floor leader of the New Korea Party, now the Grand National Party, told a JoongAng Ilbo reporter in January that the source of the money was former President Kim Young-sam. When Mr. Kang went to the Blue House to report on the party’s situation, Mr. Kim is said to have put 100 million won checks ranging up to 20 billion won into his wallet. Despite a thorough description of the situation, Mr. Kim has sealed his lips. Some have openly expressed their disappointment in Mr. Kang, who was the former president’s right-hand man, branding him as disloyal, and said that the truth will come out, indicating that the former president is a victim. At this point, are they going to say to wait until the Supreme Court’s decision?
We are all getting tired of the slush funds run by former presidents. We cannot allow our country to suffer from deeds done in the past. Former President Kim Young-sam was the very person who preached about the necessity to establish the truth and right history. Whether the money was the remainder of his election fund or congratulatory donations for his election, he should know best. It is time for him to step forward, confess and ask the people for forgiveness.
The prosecution needs to investigate this case again. It was humiliated because it did not investigate further, even after hearing Mr. Kang’s statement. Whether it was a matter of face saving, or their absolute confidence in the charge, that prevented the prosecution from changing the charges, we do not know. With the acquittal, it is high time to determine what the truth is and that is the sole responsibility of the prosecution. If not for the prosecution, the truth of this case will never come out and be buried forever
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