ID :
198054
Fri, 07/29/2011 - 11:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198054
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Lawmakers denounce prosecution's refusal to cooperate in savings bank scandal inquiry
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Ruling and opposition lawmakers rapped the prosecution on Friday for refusing to cooperate in their parliamentary probe into an influence-peddling scandal involving a corruption-laden savings bank.
The lawmakers, belonging to a special parliamentary committee formed earlier this month to look into the scandal, visited the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul to seek investigation data needed for their own inquiry and for a meeting with top investigators.
But neither of the two senior prosecutors asked to appear for the meeting with the lawmakers complied with the request, and the prosecution also refused to provide lawmakers with investigation data, citing that the probe is still under way.
Prosecutors have so far indicted dozens of senior bank officials on charges of a string of irregularities and have also pressed charges against several state regulators and politicians for alleged bribery in return for helping the bank avoid punishment.
"I feel dismal as the parliamentary investigation is ignored by the prosecution for the convenience of their investigation," said Rep. Chung Doo-un of the Grand National Party (GNP), who chairs the committee.
Rep. Park Sun-sook of the main opposition Democratic Party called the prosecution "arrogant."
Despite the criticism, the acting prosecution chief, Park Yong-seok, refused to back down, saying repeatedly that documents about the ongoing case cannot be disclosed because it could "impede the ongoing probe."
The committee decided to summon six senior prosecutors to the National Assembly next week. But it is not clear whether the prosecutors will show up upon the committee's request, which is not legally binding.
The lawmakers, belonging to a special parliamentary committee formed earlier this month to look into the scandal, visited the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul to seek investigation data needed for their own inquiry and for a meeting with top investigators.
But neither of the two senior prosecutors asked to appear for the meeting with the lawmakers complied with the request, and the prosecution also refused to provide lawmakers with investigation data, citing that the probe is still under way.
Prosecutors have so far indicted dozens of senior bank officials on charges of a string of irregularities and have also pressed charges against several state regulators and politicians for alleged bribery in return for helping the bank avoid punishment.
"I feel dismal as the parliamentary investigation is ignored by the prosecution for the convenience of their investigation," said Rep. Chung Doo-un of the Grand National Party (GNP), who chairs the committee.
Rep. Park Sun-sook of the main opposition Democratic Party called the prosecution "arrogant."
Despite the criticism, the acting prosecution chief, Park Yong-seok, refused to back down, saying repeatedly that documents about the ongoing case cannot be disclosed because it could "impede the ongoing probe."
The committee decided to summon six senior prosecutors to the National Assembly next week. But it is not clear whether the prosecutors will show up upon the committee's request, which is not legally binding.
