Ex-aide quizzed in memogate
By Kim Se-jeong
Cho Eung-chon
A former presidential aide was grilled by prosecutors Friday as part of an escalating investigation into the “memogate” scandal that has brought to light an intense power struggle between confidants of President Park Geun-hye.
Entering the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office, Cho Eung-chon, former presidential secretary for civil service discipline, told reporters, “I have not done anything which I should feel ashamed of. I will tell the truth.”
Cho allegedly ordered Police Superintendent Park Gwan-cheon to write a controversial monitoring report about Park’s former confidant Jeong Yun-hoe and 10 other presidential aides who were reportedly in discord with the President’s brother, Park Ji-man. Cho reportedly had a close relationship with the brother.
The report is believed to have been written on Jan. 6, and was reported by a local daily, the Segye Ilbo, last week prompting intense mudslinging between those involved.
The prosecution said it would focus on confirming Park’s role in drafting the report — whether Cho ordered Park to write the report, and was actively involved in providing him with the information. The prosecution said Cho could be arrested depending on Friday’s questioning.
Cho’s summons came one day after the prosecution questioned Police Superintendent Park. It also raided his home and office.
Asked if he had spoken with Police Superintendent Park, Cho answered, “I have not talked to him.”
Reporters of the Segye Ilbo gathered in their office on Friday to block a possible raid by prosecutors. The newspaper said it was told by prosecutors that they had secured a court warrant to search its office. The prosecution, however, denied requesting such a search warrant.
If the raid happens, the Segye Ilbo will be the first news outlet to be raided in the last seven years. The Hankyoreh was raided in 1989, followed by SBS in 2003 and the DongA Ilbo in 2007.
The leaked report states that Jeong had regular meetings with 10 incumbent officials of Cheong Wa Dae since October of last year to intervene in state affairs. They include Lee Jae-man, presidential secretary for administrative affairs, and Jeong Ho-sung and An Bong-geun, two personal secretaries.
The report also mentioned that the group intended to replace Kim Ki-choon, the presidential chief of staff.
Cheong Wa Dae filed a defamation suit against the Segye Ilbo and vowed to punish those who leaked the report.
On Thursday, the prosecution also summoned Kim Choon-sik, an official from Cheong Wa Dae, for questioning. Kim is alleged to be a contact for Jeong and the 10 officials, and had organized their monthly meetings. Kim told the prosecution that the memo’s author had no communication with anyone in Cheong Wa Dae and submitted Cheong Wa Dae’s internal investigation results as evidence.
The prosecution also raided a restaurant in southern Seoul in which the meetings allegedly took place, and summoned the restaurant owner for questioning. The prosecution said it requested the records of phone conversations for key figures involved in the scandal to confirm their locations at various times.