By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun instructed his aides to consider introducing the independent counsel to investigate ``oil-gate,’’ Chong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Man-soo said Tuesday.

``President Roh ordered his chief of staff Kim Woo-sik to consider accepting the opposition’s demand for an investigation of the scandal by the special counsel,’’ Kim said at a media briefing.

Roh’s instruction came as the opposition parties have been gearing up offensives at Roh by continuing to raise suspicion over alleged involvement of former and incumbent aides of Roh in the Korea Railroad’s failed investment in Russia.

The state-run railway firm signed a $62 million contract with Russian company Alfa-Eko last year to jointly develop oil fields on Russia’s Sakhalin Island, paying $6.2 million as a down payment.

The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) already called in Rep. Lee Kwang-jae, a close confidant to Roh, for questioning over his alleged role in arranging a meeting between relevant figures for the aborted energy project. After the questioning, the BAI said it had yet to find evidence proving Lee’s involvement.

Opposition parties also claim a ruling party lawmaker is involved in the scandal.

The spokesman said Roh made the instruction with the aim of keeping the opposition parties from pushing for political offensives on the ongoing prosecution investigation into the case.

``Whether to appoint the special attorney will depend on the possible agreement among political parties,’’ Kim said.

Chong Wa Dae has maintained that the prosecution’s current investigation has been fair and objective.

Sources said Roh has made the remarks mindful of the possible setback in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections in case the opposition parties continue to pound the ruling party with the issue. The by-elections are scheduled for April 30.

The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) welcomed Roh’s decision, calling on the ruling party to cooperate in endorsing the opposition-proposed bill for the special counsel.

``Although President Roh’s decision came belatedly, we welcome it,’’ GNP floor leader Kang Jae-sup said.

The ruling party also decided to accept Roh’s decision. But the prosecution first needs to squarely and completely dig into the case, it said.

The ruling party’s floor leader, Chung Sye-kyun, telephoned Kim Woo-sik to find out Roh’s intention and decided to comply with his decision, party officials said.

``We have confirmed that President Roh’s remarks are in line with the party’s position. We maintain that there is a need to introduce the independent counsel if the current prosecution investigation fails to see substantial outcome,’’ said Oh Young-shik, the party’s vice spokesman.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr