Presidential front-runner Lee Myung-bak faced intense pressure to quit Monday after a video clip rekindled suspicion of his involvement in a 2001 financial scam. Rival candidates are pushing for an independent investigation into the case.
With voters set to go to the polls in just two days, it is unknown whether the video clip will reverse Lee's huge lead, based not on his ethics but on his experience as a CEO of the construction arm of Hyundai Group and his successes as mayor of Seoul.
Opinion surveys indicate that he will win a landslide victory, with over 40 percent of support. His rate of support is about 25 percentage points ahead of his closest challenger.
Political parties opposed to Lee of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) pushed to pass a bill for an independent investigation into his alleged crimes.
The bill, if passed in the National Assembly plenary session in the afternoon, may nullify the prosecutors' earlier exoneration of the top candidate.
"As of yesterday, the Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak has become a criminal suspect no more, no less," Chung Dong-young, Lee's closest challenger from the pro-government United New Democratic Party, said in a party meeting. "He should take responsibility for what he's been saying and immediately withdraw his bid."
Lee's comfortable lead may have been tarnished by the footage that was released by the pro-government party Sunday. The footage appeared to show Lee saying that he "established an investment firm called the BBK in January 2000." The company was later allegedly used by his former business partner for stock
manipulation and embezzlement. Lee has claimed that he had no relation with BBK.
After a month-long probe, prosecutors said on Dec. 5 that they found no evidence linking Lee to the stock manipulation.
Lee says that his remarks contained "some inaccurate expressions" while he was promoting a brand-new financial business.
"Still, I accepted (the bill for) the special probe. Because we have to change the politics that is marred by mudslinging, maneuvering and physical scuffles," he said in a pre-distributed television speech. A violent shoving match erupted in the National Assembly over the weekend as pro-government lawmakers sought to
put the bill to a vote and GNP lawmakers occupied the Speaker's podium to block the legislation.
President Roh Moo-hyun issued a rare directive Sunday, ordering the Justice Ministry to consider instructing the prosecution to reopen the investigation, but the Justice Ministry decided not to convey the directive to prosecutors.
Lee's rivals intensified calls for his withdrawal.
"He had promised that if there's any problem with BBK, he would take responsibility even after his election. He should now apologize to the people and give up his candidacy," Lee Hoi-chang, a former GNP chairman now running as an independent, said in the televised debate.
The progressive minor opposition Democratic Labor Party backed the pro-government party's move to pass the bill, saying Lee Myung-bak's election "will be the beginning of national misery."
A simple majority is needed for the passage of the bill. The UNDP with 140 seats, is 10 seats short of the majority, and is seeking support from the nine-seat DLP and other minor parties.
The video clip came to light on Sunday morning after three men were arrested by police while trying to extort hush money from the GNP in return for withholding the clip. Lee said he "was asked for blackmail funds of 3 billion won ($3.3 million)" to acquire the tape before it was released. He said he immediately reported the
incident to the police.
If the special investigation bill takes effect, Lee could be summoned to the prosecution even if he wins Wednesday's vote as the election law does not provide criminal amnesty to a president-elect.
It is uncertain, however, whether an independent counsel could complete the investigation before Feb. 25 when an incoming president takes office. If Lee is elected and takes office, he would enjoy immunity from criminal indictment except for rebellion charges.
(Yonhap)