Impersonation cases baffle Moon's aides

By Park Ji-won

Cheong Wa Dae issued an alert to the public over fraud and extortion being committed by people impersonating aides of President Moon Jae-in, Monday.

This came after Moon received reports about such cases from Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom.

“Moon said something that is absurd is occurring. Please report it to police as fraud when asked for money mentioning the names of the President, his relatives or presidential officials,” Kim told reporters.

“The earliest case surfaced in August last year. The President gave a special order as the matter became more serious when more cases occurred later."

According to an announcement released by Cho, six impersonation cases have been reported so far.

One involved a person with six charges on his criminal record, swindling money worth several billion won from victims, by sending them cellphone messages saying “please help me” using the name of President Moon Jae-in between December 2017 and January 2018.

“Cheong Wa Dae has never been involved in such cases and we will continue to keep our disciplinary work ethic in order not to violate any law,” Cho said.

“If we find any involvement by Cheong Wa Dae officials in criminal cases, we will take firm action such as punishment or ask for a police investigation regardless of their status.”