By Kim Se-jeong
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has alleged that its closed-door meeting last week over whether to increase TV subscription fees was recorded, demanding an explanation from the ruling camp.
The allegation is casting a cloud over the prospects of a meeting between President Lee Myung-bak and DP Chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, which is supposed to take place today at Cheong Wa Dae.
According to DP floor leader Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) allegedly bugged closed-door discussions among DP members at Sohn’s office at the National Assembly on June 23 and leaked it to politicians including GNP lawmaker Han Sun-kyo.
Han is the chairman of the parliamentary sub-committee on culture, sports and tourism, which is handling the subscription policy.
On Saturday, the liberals convened an emergency meeting to discuss Kim’s claims and decided to refer the case to police for an investigation. The GNP has dismissed the accusations, saying the DP must present hard evidence first.
The allegation came after Han criticized DP’s opposition to raising the public subscription fee for KBS TV during the sub-committee’s general meeting Thursday, citing comments made by some DP members at the secret meeting.
He even said if the quotes he cited are incorrect, he will take full responsibility.
Later, he changed his stance.
“They were not exact quotes. I spoke after reading a note I received from a DP member,” Han said.
The liberals argued the GNP bugged Sohn’s room where he and members of the parliamentary committee met to discuss party strategy on whether to increase the subscription fee.
Last week, the GNP approved a bill raising the charge by 1,000 won at the sub-committee meeting in the absence of DP lawmakers, drawing criticism from liberals.
In protest, the DP boycotted the June extraordinary parliamentary session for half a day on Tuesday. Chairman Sohn also warned the DP would halt parliamentary discussions unless the GNP and the government withdraw the plan to raise the fee.
DP lawmaker Hong Young-pyo said, “Nothing like this has happened in the history of Korea. We won’t overlook it. We’ll find out who did this and hold them accountable.”