It has been learned that a week ahead of the election for the next president of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC), the incumbent is the subject of a prosecution inquiry relating to corruption charges. Prosecutors are looking into whether Lee Yun Taek was asked by a real estate contractor to have municipal authorities provide him with some favors, and in return was able to purchase land in the Pan'gyo "New Town" development area for hundreds of millions of Won less than market prices. Naturally, if there are even the slightest suspicions Lee should respond to the prosecution's investigation, and, depending on the results of the investigation, he should receive punishment.
Lee says the accusations are an attempt to destroy him and have him withdraw from his campaign to be reelected, and claims the matter has nothing to do with his duties. The exact facts are as of yet unknown, but he has been dealt a severe injury to his ethical reputation as head of the KOC.
We find it suspicious that the prosecution's preliminary inquiry became known to the public immediately ahead of the vote in an intense campaign that has been reduced to 3 to 4 candidates. The inquiry began last year based on the prosecution's own intelligence, and no problems would have been created by having it continue after the election. Particularly if you remember how there have been rumors that Korea Taekwondo Association president Kim Jeong Gil is being supported by certain politicians as the next president of the KOC, the prosecution has nothing to say if criticized for carelessness that has hurt the fairness of the election.
There have long been suggestions that the process through which the KOC selects its president is too out of touch with public sentiment, since people are nominated by the president and vice presidents of the KOC's 49 member organizations. The undemocratic rules contribute to the likelihood of rumors about specific people being chosen for the job or behind-the-scenes maneuvers and corruption when the voting convention takes place. The KOC should take this opportunity to create fair and transparent election procedures.
The Hankyoreh, 17 February 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] KOC's Election Problems |
