It’s over

The independent counsel announced yesterday the results of its 38-day investigation into allegations that President-elect Lee Myung-bak breached ethics.
The investigation confirmed that no evidence against Lee had been found, concluding that the results of previous investigations were correct.
The counsel affirmed that the real owners of the land in Dogok-dong were Lee’s elder brother and brother-in-law. This means that the President-elect has been cleared of numerous allegations and can now lead a new government with a clear head.
However, we still have to redeem the tarnished reputation of the judiciary, especially the prosecutors, involved in the case.
The independent counsel exists to investigate corruption at the heart of power or within the public prosecutor’ s office. These cases are deemed inappropriate for prosecutors to investigate.
However, the current independent counsel investigated a matter on which prosecutors had already reached a decision.
Introducing an independent counsel during the presidential election for political reasons, based on the power of the majority, was wrong.
What’s more, it is problematic that the counsel was introduced when no further evidence was presented.
It was also inappropriate to have taken as evidence the unilateral claims made by the arrested suspect.
We cannot help but point a finger at irresponsible politicians. All kinds of allegations were made before the presidential elections, but once the independent counsel began its investigation, not a shred of additional evidence was submitted.
In the end, it is necessary to examine ourselves and apologize for having tarnished the judiciary’s reputation.
The allegations against the president-elect have been investigated twice, and the results have been the same.
Politicians should recognize the results of the probe. Rejecting the conclusions of the investigation is a rejection of our judiciary system.
This makes no sense ― denying a national system that works according to laws made by lawmakers is contradictory.
This entire episode should make lawmakers see the value of respecting the national judiciary.
An independent counsel should not be used as a political tool.