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The JoongAng Ilbo and Samsung Group on Monday issued qualified apologies to the nation but admitted no guilt over alleged illegal campaign contributions in 1997 which broadcaster MBC says are revealed by a secretly recorded dinner conversation between executives of the two companies. The taped conversation between JoongAng Ilbo publisher Hong Seok-hyun, now Korean ambassador to the U.S., and Samsung Group restructuring chief Lee Hak-soo is said to have been the result of a clandestine bugging operation of leading figures by the Agency for National Security Planning.
In a front-page editorial Monday, the JoongAng Ilbo said, "Considering the importance of the matter, the JoongAng Ilbo apologizes to the people and pledges deep reflection ahead of an investigation by authorities into the veracity of the document." Samsung Group issued a statement saying, "Leaving aside the veracity of the charges, we sincerely apologize for inviting social criticism.¡±
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The civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) holds a press conference at a cafe in Seoul on Monday, saying it will file complaints against business and political figures involved in a bugging scandal that has rocked the nation. The Agency for National Security Planning allegedly ran a secret bugging team that recorded dinner conversations of key political, financial and media figures during the Kim Young-sam administration.
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Both apologies were further qualified by grumblings about a plot. The JoongAng Ilbo complained that although there exist an estimated 8,000 bugging tapes, "an issue is being made of only one particular corporation and the JoongAng Ilbo," while Samsung muttered about "distortions and exaggerations." That has given rise to speculation that the two apologies could mark the first stage of a counterattack including legal action.
Hong served time in jail in 1999 on a tax evasion charge many believe was really retaliation for biased reporting. Based on that, the JoongAng Ilbo said, ¡°one could say he has already paid his debt... We will resolutely fight any attempts to smear the JoongAng Ilbo and use the matter for political ends." The paper quoted a Sunday interview by SBS with the head of the disbanded eavesdropping team, who said the hands of other media companies were also dirty. It also suggested the leak of that particular tape pointed to a political conspiracy. This was the first time the JoongAng Ilbo has devoted so much space to the story since news of the tape broke.
The Samsung Group will reportedly take legal action including civil and criminal suits against the four-man bugging team codenamed Mirim and media companies like MBC that reported the story.
Samsung said it declined an offer to buy the tape in 1999 although it realized the damage its release could do, and instead reported the matter to ¡°a national institution.¡± "We cannot tolerate wrongful means to achieve one¡¯s goals, and we believe that practices like illegal bugging and the irresponsible release and distribution of the tapes must be stamped out."
It nonetheless vowed it was through with the "mistaken practices and customs of the past," and, under proper and transparent management, would become a corporation that "rewards the expectations and love of the people." It affirmed its commitment to social responsibility in accordance with the "Samsung Management Principles" it announced in March to ensure good corporate governance.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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