Diplomats accused of leaking gov’t files in China

`Korean officials had affairs with same woman’

By Kang Hyun-kyung

The Prime Minister’s Office is investigating allegations that an extramarital affairs scandal involving South Korean officials, including the former chief of the Consulate General in Shanghai, has been linked to a leak of classified government material.

The office kicked off the probe after being informed that a set of documents, including contact information for approximately 200 high-profile Korean government officials and politicians, were found in the computer files of a Chinese woman who was not part of the foreign mission.

The leaked documents also include emergency contact information of officials of the Shanghai mission, the records of visa issuances, and a document noting reshuffles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT).

The 33-year-old Chinese female, identified only as Deng, reportedly was involved in a love triangle with two Korean officials at the Shanghai mission.

Sources said Deng is a highly influential figure in diplomatic circles in Shanghai, noting that “nothing, especially visa-related matters, can be done without her help.”

A government source told reporters on condition of anonymity that Deng also played a critical role in introducing South Korean mission members to high-ranking officials of the city government.

He denied the allegation that classified files were ever handed over to Deng.

“It is common for diplomats posted in foreign missions to rely heavily on people like Deng who have ties and networks with the local authorities,” he said. “I think she could have accessed information about the schedules of visiting Korean politicians as diplomats may have asked her to set up meetings with local officials.”

Despite the explanation, criticism has erupted over the decades-old diplomatic practice of utilizing an informal channel such as Deng.

A high-ranking official told reporters that diplomats could be tempted to take advantage of those having ties with the host government authorities. But, he said, it was not right for diplomats to rely only on informal channels.

The two Korean diplomats who allegedly had affairs with Deng — identified only as Hur and Kim, respectively — returned to Korea in December.

So far, the nature of Kim’s relationship with Deng has not been clear. It has not been confirmed whether they were friends or involved in an extramarital relationship. But investigators confirmed that Hur had an affair with her.

Hur and Kim were dispatched to the Shanghai Consulate General from the justice and knowledge economy ministries, respectively.

After returning to Korea, Hur was forced to resign, but Kim is still working with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

A MOFAT official told reporters that the ministry is also investigating allegations that another diplomat, identified only as Park, handed over classified documents to Deng.

“We have questioned him. So far, we have not found any evidence showing his involvement in leaking government files to the Chinese woman,” the official said.

Sources said they would not rule out the possibility that Kim Jeong-kee, the former chief of the Shanghai mission, faces investigation over the possible leak.

The files that the Chinese woman had were off-limits to ordinary diplomats. Kim had kept them in his office.

In an interview, Kim, who is now in Seoul, said that he was embarrassed to know that the Chinese woman had the files, denying any involvement in the case. He said Deng was very helpful and had strong ties with the Shanghai authorities.

Prosecutors said they are watching developments closely. They added they would not rule out the possibility of taking on the case if those involved were found to have leaked classified documents.

Shanghai scandal: 외교 하랬더니 외도?

상하이 주재 외교관들이 현지 중국인 기혼 여성과 부적절한 관계를 맺으면서, 국가기밀과 관련된 문건을 유출했다는 주장이 제기돼 국무총리실에서 조사에 나선 것으로 알려졌다.

외교부, 지식경제부, 법무부 출신 공무원들이 현지 여성(33)과 부적절한 관계를 가진 것으로 의심받고 있으며 이러는 과정에서 정관계 고위인사 연락처 등이 담긴 문건이 유출된 것으로 알려졌다.

이번 상하이 스캔들 파동에는 상하이 전 총영사도 조사 대상에 포함될 수 있다는 주장이 제기되어 사건의 파급효과가 더 커질 것으로 예상된다.