By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Rep. Lee Jung-hee of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party (DLP) accused military police Thursday of spying on civic group activists and opposition party personnel; an allegation the military denies.
The Defense Security Command (DSC) contended that an investigator was on duty to find out whether eight soldiers had participated in a protest at the Ssangyong Plant in Pyeongtaekk, Gyeonggi Province on August 5, thus violating the National Security Law.
It also said the DSC was allowed to investigate civilians when necessary.
Rep. Lee said the statement was misleading. ``The command is not allowed to investigate civilians, except in a few cases that are clarified by law. The DSC has no jurisdiction to randomly investigate civilians.''
Lee urged the government to take legal action against the DSC investigator who conducted surveillance on civilians.
She said the military police investigator videotaped a DLP strategist at the Ssangyong protest.
Lee submitted as evidence the investigator's schedule book, ID card and video clips, which party members took from him during the protest.
``It is not the job of the DSC to videotape civilians, civic group activists and their activities. It was illegal for the investigator to do so,'' she said.
DSC denied it, and said the investigator was assaulted and personal items were stolen by about 40 activists participating in the protest. It also said it would take legal action against those involved in the attack.