Opposition says nominee for top prosecutor unfit

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- Opposition parties on Tuesday demanded that the
nominee for prosecutor-general, who at a confirmation hearing a day earlier
admitted to allegations of unethical conduct, be withdrawn.
The parliament's judiciary committee was expected to decide within the day
whether or not to endorse Chun Sung-gwan, President Lee Myung-bak's pick for the
country's next prosecutor general. Chun is the current head of the Seoul District
Prosecutor's Office.
By law, the president can dismiss the panel's recommendations, but the hearing
did give the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) further ammunition in its
criticisms of the administration, which has been slammed for what's been
described as a politically motivated probe into late former President Roh
Moo-hyun.
Roh's supporters say the unusually harsh probe into bribery allegations against
the former leader drove him to commit suicide in May. Chun has also been accused
of taking money from a local businessman.
Chun was quizzed about the 2.35 billion won (US$1.81 million) he allegedly
received, as well as his reported false resident registration for his son and
luxurious overseas trips taken by his family.
Chun said the money from the businessman was a "loan" to buy an apartment in the
affluent Gangnam district of southern Seoul. He did admit to rigging his son's
resident registration, however, in order to enroll him in Gangnam's top tier
schools.
"I cannot but question whether the Lee Myung-bak government's personnel
verification system is working properly," DP floor leader Lee Kang-rae said at a
party meeting.
The DP's You Sun-ho, chairman of the judiciary committee, criticized the nominee
for having "not been able to provide any proper documents regarding the
allegations raised."
Conservative splinter opposition leader Lee Hoi-chang, a former judge, said he
was "extremely disappointed" by Chun.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) has so far remained on the defensive,
keeping its public comments to a minimum.
"In my humble opinion, I don't think those are critical flaws," party chairman
Park hee-tae said in response to questions about Chun during a radio interview
earlier in the day.
Chang Yoon-seok, senior GNP member of the judiciary committee, said Chun may have
been "immoderate" in purchasing the expensive apartment, but argued it does not
diminish his "caliber" in carrying out the duties of prosecutor general.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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