Ex-special inspector reasserts embezzlement and illegal surveillance by Cheong Wa Dae
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Kim Tae-woo, a former inspector at Cheong Wa Dae, loosens his tie before a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Monday where he spoke about allegations involving irregularities at the presidential office. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
By Kim Jae-heun
Cheong Wa Dae conducted illegal surveillance of citizens and its officials embezzled money, claimed Kim Tae-woo, a former special inspector from the prosecution deployed at the presidential office. Kim, the central figure in the corruption allegations surrounding Cheong Wa Dae's civil affairs office, held a press conference at the Korea Press Center, Monday, to dispute charges leveled against him, while repeating his claims about the presidential office.
Kim, who returned to the prosecution, was recently dismissed from the organization for interfering in an investigation into an acquaintance and leaking classified information he obtained while working at Cheong Wa Dae.
“I am standing here today to prove myself innocent and make my position clear. I've never made any inquiries into the investigations of my acquaintance, and Cheong Wa Dae is only attempting to cover up the allegations by attacking me,” Kim said.
He claimed Cheong Wa Dae conducted illegal surveillance of public officials and monitoring of ordinary citizens.
According to him, Cheong Wa Dae forced public servants to consent to the confiscation of their mobile phones when subject to inspection. He said he was “ordered” to do this.
Kim also said disciplinary action against corrupt public officials differed according to which administration they had worked for, adding one foreign ministry official, who worked at Cheong Wa Dae under the former Roh Moo-hyun administration, was given a light punishment, but another who worked under the Park Geun-hye administration received a heavy one although they committed similar irregularities.
Kim went further to claim the civil affairs office investigated private citizens illegally. His monthly report submitted to his boss contained information on these, including the son of former Prime Minister Goh Kun, although Cheong Wa Dae denies this.
“I am sure the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk was told about these acts and allowed such information to be handed to the investigative or audit bodies,” Kim said.
He also said Cheong Wa Dae ignored principles in personnel affairs and overlooked the irregularities of people close to top officials, saying it appointed Yeom Han-woong as vice chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology although it was aware that he had convictions for drunk driving.
“This is not fair. As you all know, the presidential office also appointed Woo Yoon-keun as ambassador to Russia despite my report that he had accepted bribes,” Kim said, adding he reported suspicious cases involving ruling party officials, including Rep. Song Young-gil, but no investigation was undertaken.
He claimed some officials at Cheong Wa Dae were given “subsidies” illegally. Special inspectors at Cheong Wa Dae are given 1.4 million won per month for travel expenses as they work outside the office in all parts of the country. “However, an official who only worked in the office received about 16 million won by falsely reporting business trips.”