ID :
199136
Thu, 08/04/2011 - 12:28
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https://oananews.org//node/199136
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Chief prosecutor nominee denies suspected wrongdoing at hearing
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- The chief prosecutor nominee faced tough questions at a confirmation hearing on Thursday over his ethical qualifications for the job, including allegations that he dodged the mandatory military service.
President Lee Myung-bak appointed Han Sang-dae, the current chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, to replace Kim Joon-gyu, who quit in early July in protest of the parliament's passage of a judicial reform bill he saw as favoring police.
During the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers bombarded Han, 52, with questions about whether he attempted to evade the mandatory military service in the early 1980s by receiving back surgery. He flatly denied the allegation, saying the operation was necessary.
All able-bodied South Korean young men must serve about two years in the military, a duty considered a key ethical requirement for high-level officeholders and politicians.
However, Han offered an apology for falsely changing his home address to send his two daughters to prestigious schools in an affluent region.
"I deeply regret it," Han said. "In light of this, I will take care of my personal and family affairs more thoroughly."
Regarding the ongoing probe into a corruption-laden savings bank, the nominee said he was aware of public criticism over unsatisfactory probe results, vowing to thoroughly get to the bottom of the case to leave no room for doubt over the scandal.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has so far indicted dozens of senior officials at Busan Savings Bank on charges of a string of irregularities and has also pressed charges against several state regulators and politicians for alleged bribery in return for helping the bank avoid punishment.
However, he remained cautious over launching an independent counsel to conduct an additional probe while multiple investigations are currently under way.
"It is up to the legislative body to make a decision. However, the prosecutors hope that the independent counsel will not be necessary," Han said.
Appointment of a special counsel for a major crime requires parliamentary approval.
Since the National Assembly has no power to reject a presidential appointment, confirmation hearings are widely seen as a formality. But several nominees have given up their nominations in the past after facing criticism over allegations of past wrongdoing during the hearing.
Last year, three Cabinet nominees, including prime minister appointee Kim Tae-ho, voluntarily withdrew from their appointments after facing harsh questions by opposition parties over their ethical lapses.
President Lee Myung-bak appointed Han Sang-dae, the current chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, to replace Kim Joon-gyu, who quit in early July in protest of the parliament's passage of a judicial reform bill he saw as favoring police.
During the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers bombarded Han, 52, with questions about whether he attempted to evade the mandatory military service in the early 1980s by receiving back surgery. He flatly denied the allegation, saying the operation was necessary.
All able-bodied South Korean young men must serve about two years in the military, a duty considered a key ethical requirement for high-level officeholders and politicians.
However, Han offered an apology for falsely changing his home address to send his two daughters to prestigious schools in an affluent region.
"I deeply regret it," Han said. "In light of this, I will take care of my personal and family affairs more thoroughly."
Regarding the ongoing probe into a corruption-laden savings bank, the nominee said he was aware of public criticism over unsatisfactory probe results, vowing to thoroughly get to the bottom of the case to leave no room for doubt over the scandal.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has so far indicted dozens of senior officials at Busan Savings Bank on charges of a string of irregularities and has also pressed charges against several state regulators and politicians for alleged bribery in return for helping the bank avoid punishment.
However, he remained cautious over launching an independent counsel to conduct an additional probe while multiple investigations are currently under way.
"It is up to the legislative body to make a decision. However, the prosecutors hope that the independent counsel will not be necessary," Han said.
Appointment of a special counsel for a major crime requires parliamentary approval.
Since the National Assembly has no power to reject a presidential appointment, confirmation hearings are widely seen as a formality. But several nominees have given up their nominations in the past after facing criticism over allegations of past wrongdoing during the hearing.
Last year, three Cabinet nominees, including prime minister appointee Kim Tae-ho, voluntarily withdrew from their appointments after facing harsh questions by opposition parties over their ethical lapses.
