By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
A civic group filed a suit against two of President Lee Myung-bak's aides ㅡ Choo Boo-kil and Jang Seon-hyo ㅡ for violating rules banning civil servants from leaking confidential information to private companies.
The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Tuesday, claiming the two officials leaked confidential information about the canal project to top construction firms wanting to take part.
CCEJ officials alleged the two aides met major construction firms' heads in secret on Dec. 28, 2007 to explain the controversial waterway project and encourage them to participate.
``This can be interpreted as leaking a government secret,'' said Lee Gyun-seek, CCEJ head.
The group alleges the controversial project is no more than a ``conspiracy'' to give exclusive benefits to certain companies. It said the canal project the new government is eagerly pushing ahead with is equivalent to an act of giving privileges to certain companies.
Companies that will participate in the project are expected to get licenses for various development projects in areas the canal will pass through.
``The government stresses it will utilize private funds instead of state money to complete the project. But it is merely an act to divert public criticism. Furthermore, it's very risky,'' Lee said. ``We believe the government is taking this `uneconomical project' as a means to give benefits to major construction firms.''
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