By Kim Hyo-jin
A group of lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party called for a National Assembly audit or an investigation by an independent counsel, Tuesday, into power abuse allegations swirling around Choi Soon-sil, a longtime confidant of President Park Geun-hye.
The move came after broadcaster JTBC reported Monday that Choi had access to presidential speeches before they were delivered to the public, aggravating the already worsening public sentiment following a series of influence-peddling allegations.
The call coming from Saenuri Party members was viewed as distancing the ruling party from Cheong Wa Dae amid concerns of a possible backlash ahead of the presidential election next year, according to pundits.
"Choi Soon-sil gate is a betrayal of politics and contempt for the country's democracy," Rep. Kim Yong-tae said in a press conference. "We need to appoint an independent counsel, leaving no sanctuary from the investigation."
The call was echoed by fellow lawmaker Ha Tae-keung. "A regular probe by the prosecution cannot handle the situation now that we have physical evidence that central figures in the presidential office are possibly connected to Choi," Ha said.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, a potential presidential candidate for the ruling party, added his voice, calling for an Assembly investigation.
"We should not seek a defensive stance. We need to put our utmost efforts into getting to the bottom of the allegations and bring those at fault to justice. Here, the President is no exception," he said in a Facebook post.
Distancing itself from a previous cautious attitude, the party leadership also directed its criticism at Park, joining lawmakers from an intra-party faction not aligned with the President.
"With media reports (about Choi's power abuse) continuing, I, as a member of the ruling party's leadership, am deeply sorry," said floor leader Chung Jin-suk.
Chung called on the prosecution to conduct a thorough investigation of Choi, and for it to track down her whereabouts as soon as possible.
Prosecutors launched an investigation last week into two foundations accused of been used as fundraising vehicles by Choi. But they remain unable to question Choi as her whereabouts are still unclear.
"If the investigation is viewed as insufficient, the party will consider all possible additional measures," Chung added.
JTBC reported Monday that it gained access to Choi's personal computer, which she asked a concierge in her office building to dispose of, and found that 44 copies of Park's speeches had been stored before the dates of their actual delivery. It also found that changes were made on the original copies, raising suspicions that Choi gave the President her own suggestions for the speeches.
The law on the management of presidential records bans all unauthorized access. According to lawyers, those who access them without permission could be brought up on criminal charges with up to a seven-year prison term and a 20 million won fine. Those who receive the records or order access can be charged as an accomplice or abettor.
A group of lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party called for a National Assembly audit or an investigation by an independent counsel, Tuesday, into power abuse allegations swirling around Choi Soon-sil, a longtime confidant of President Park Geun-hye.
The move came after broadcaster JTBC reported Monday that Choi had access to presidential speeches before they were delivered to the public, aggravating the already worsening public sentiment following a series of influence-peddling allegations.
The call coming from Saenuri Party members was viewed as distancing the ruling party from Cheong Wa Dae amid concerns of a possible backlash ahead of the presidential election next year, according to pundits.
"Choi Soon-sil gate is a betrayal of politics and contempt for the country's democracy," Rep. Kim Yong-tae said in a press conference. "We need to appoint an independent counsel, leaving no sanctuary from the investigation."
The call was echoed by fellow lawmaker Ha Tae-keung. "A regular probe by the prosecution cannot handle the situation now that we have physical evidence that central figures in the presidential office are possibly connected to Choi," Ha said.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, a potential presidential candidate for the ruling party, added his voice, calling for an Assembly investigation.
"We should not seek a defensive stance. We need to put our utmost efforts into getting to the bottom of the allegations and bring those at fault to justice. Here, the President is no exception," he said in a Facebook post.
Distancing itself from a previous cautious attitude, the party leadership also directed its criticism at Park, joining lawmakers from an intra-party faction not aligned with the President.
"With media reports (about Choi's power abuse) continuing, I, as a member of the ruling party's leadership, am deeply sorry," said floor leader Chung Jin-suk.
Chung called on the prosecution to conduct a thorough investigation of Choi, and for it to track down her whereabouts as soon as possible.
Prosecutors launched an investigation last week into two foundations accused of been used as fundraising vehicles by Choi. But they remain unable to question Choi as her whereabouts are still unclear.
"If the investigation is viewed as insufficient, the party will consider all possible additional measures," Chung added.
JTBC reported Monday that it gained access to Choi's personal computer, which she asked a concierge in her office building to dispose of, and found that 44 copies of Park's speeches had been stored before the dates of their actual delivery. It also found that changes were made on the original copies, raising suspicions that Choi gave the President her own suggestions for the speeches.
The law on the management of presidential records bans all unauthorized access. According to lawyers, those who access them without permission could be brought up on criminal charges with up to a seven-year prison term and a 20 million won fine. Those who receive the records or order access can be charged as an accomplice or abettor.
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