▲Police on the 7th asked prosecutors to seek an arrest warrant for independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who faces 13 allegations of misconduct including preferential hiring for his second son and receiving money in exchange for a party nomination. That came a full year after police opened the investigation last September. During that time, police searched his home and other locations and questioned Kim seven times, yet reached no conclusion. That drew widespread criticism that police were dragging their feet in investigating Kim, a former power broker in the ruling camp. With the revised Criminal Procedure Act taking effect on the 2nd of next month, giving police what amounts to a monopoly on investigative authority, there is reason to worry whether they can investigate strictly and fairly without bending to political pressure.
▲A special counsel team led by Lee Tae-han was launched on the 7th to investigate the shortage of ballot papers and other problems in the June 3 local elections. At the team's opening ceremony that day, Lee said the investigation was intended "to protect the people's right to political participation and to restore fairness and trust in elections," adding that the team "will not be swayed by unverified allegations or political controversy." The public has been left speechless by the string of irregularities and irresponsible conduct uncovered at the National Election Commission. The special counsel should conduct an airtight investigation, if only to bring about a thorough overhaul of the commission.
