By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Opposition parties Sunday filed a complaint against President Lee Myung-bak with the National Election Commission (NEC), claiming he violated Election Law by tacitly supporting his confidant.
However, an official from the election watchdog said it is difficult to discern if the President violated the law.
The lawsuit came after that the President Saturday visited a redevelopment construction site in Eunpyeong where right-hand man Lee Jae-oh of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) is running to win an Assembly seat up for grabs in Wednesday's elections.
``It is clear violation of the law that he visited the district of one of his close aides ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in an apparent attempt to help the candidate's campaign,'' said Jun Hyun-hee of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
The President went to the construction site after participating in a ceremony to mark the 63rd Arbor Day and reportedly delivered nonpolitical messages only, including``I think creating jobs is the best welfare.''
However, opposition parties took issue with the visit at this sensitive time in the campaign.
Opposition candidates have pointed out problems lurking in the redevelopment project and said the President's visit to his confidant's district was aimed campaigning for him.
Cheong Wa Dae said that the President visited to explore the site and look into a project to offer jobs to the homeless he has been interested in since serving as Seoul mayor.
Despite the explanation, the opposition continued to assail President Lee for not keeping political neutrality.
The minor opposition Creative Korea Party (CKP), whose Chairman Moon Kook-hyun is competing against the GNP candidate in the district, slammed the President for seeking to draw votes away from Moon.
The party also filed a suit against the President with the commission for breaking election and public service laws.
The NEC will likely stand by the President. An official, who asked to remain anonymous, said ``Violation of the Election Law includes consistent visits or attempts to fish for votes. But according to reports, the President never mentioned the elections and just met some workers on the site.''
Even if the commission rules that the President violated the law, the case would likely end with only a verbal warning.
The current law stipulates that public servants, including the President, should maintain political neutrality but enforces no punishment.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun received warnings twice from the commission for controversial remarks including criticism of Lee Myung-bak's cross-country waterway project to link Seoul and Busan last June.