By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The prosecution is considering indicting Chung Dong-young, the former presidential candidate for the then-pro-government liberal party, for his alleged slandering of his rival, the current President Lee Myung-bak.
It is unusual for a former presidential candidate to face indictment over activities during the campaign.
A prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said Wednesday that Chung had not responded to their calls for questioning without giving a clear reason, adding they may have to consider indicting him.
The Grand National Party, to which Lee belongs, and Lee's supporters filed complaints with the prosecution against Chung earlier, claiming the former unification minister slandered Lee through televised campaigns, press conferences and street rallies during the election.
They claimed Chung gave out false information at these public occasions that Lee co-established an asset management firm BBK with his former business partner Kim Kyung-joon, who was arrested for manipulating stock prices of the firm, and that Lee was thus involved in the financial scam.
Prosecutors have looked into whether Chung's remarks were defamation or the spreading of false information according to the Election Law. They have decided to directly question him, as they need to know why he made such remarks and on what grounds, the prosecutor said.
Earlier this month, the prosecution asked Chung to present himself for questioning on Feb. 20, but he sent them a message that he would do so only if his party instructs him to.
It is an unusual move to indict an influential presidential candidate for offensive tactics during the campaign period. If the prosecution actually indicts Chung, the liberal is expected to strongly criticize the move as ``suppression of the opposition party.''
Prosecutors will also soon decide whether to take legal action against several members of the liberal party against whom other complaints were filed for similar slander allegations.