Park sues DUP leader over scandal

By Chung Hee-hyung

Park Geun-hye, the Saenuri Party’s leading presidential contender, sued Rep. Park Jie-won, interim head of the opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) for libel, Tuesday. The former claimed the DUP floor leader falsely linked her with a lobbyist who had worked for a suspended savings bank.

Both sides have been exchanging harsh words over Park Geun-hye’s alleged involvement in a massive bribery case since last week. Park Jie-won, who served as chief aide to former President Kim Dae-jung, wields considerable influence among lawmakers hailing from the southwestern Jeolla Province, considered the home turf of the DUP.