By Yi Whan-woo
Cheong Wa Dae is seeking another fight with a media outlet, this time the vernacular Segye Ilbo, about reports that could again tie President Park Geun-hye with an alleged confidant, and damage her governance for the next three years.
Prosecutors are expected to start an investigation as soon as the presidential office files a defamation suit against the Unification Church-backed daily.
The legal action followed reports that Segye claimed were based on internal memoranda, dated Jan. 6, saying that Jeong Yun-hoe received briefings from presidential aides about goings-on in government and spread rumors about a decision to replace chief of staff Kim Ki-choon.
Jeong appeared in a report by Japan’s conservative Sankei Shimbun newspaper as the person who had a meeting with Park during an alleged seven-hour absence at the start of the Sewol ferry disaster.
Cheong Wa Dae appeared to be in full denial.
It said that the chief of staff received an oral briefing about the content of the internal memos but they were not reported up the official chain of command.
Kim has been under criticism for his alleged failure to act as a good presidential counsel. It is widely believed the latest incident will further damage Park’s image.
The rival political parties called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
“The President should come up with a clear explanation tomorrow and take firm measures against Jeong and those who meddled in presidential affairs,” said Rep. Han Jeong-ae, a spokeswoman for the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), Sunday.
Han was referring to the senior presidential secretaries meeting to be presided over by Park today. “Any refusal to give answers would mean Jeong has ties with the President and has been intervening in state management.”
The ruling Saenuri Party asked the prosecution Sunday to uncover the truth thoroughly. It also said the NPAD should have patience over the case.
“We ask the legal enforcement officers to uncover the truth and seek justice,” said Rep. Kim Young-woo, a party spokeswoman. “The opposition should refrain from politicizing the case and wait for the investigation result.”
The ongoing brouhaha is taking place in the wake of a trial involving the Sankei Shimbun reporter, Tatsuya Kato.
Cheong Wa Dae compiled a report that said Jeong, a former aide to Park, was regularly briefed by some 10 presidential secretaries on state affairs since October 2013.
Jeong served her as her aide when she was a lawmaker before being elected to the presidency in December 2012.
Jeong does not hold any position in the Park administration.
But he reportedly peddled influence in state management based on information he collected from the 10 presidential officials, Segye said. They include Lee Jae-man, secretary for administrative affairs; Jeong Ho-sung and An Bong-geun, two personnel secreataries to the President. The trio served Park during the 2012 presidential election.
The report was compiled in January by a police officer, only identified by his last name Park, who then served at Cheong Wa Dae’s internal affairs investigation division.
He was asked to look into rumors widely circulating at the National Assembly that Kim was seriously ill and would be replaced soon.