Cheong Wa Dae denies Park's defense of aide

By Kim Hyo-jin

Cheong Wa Dae denied speculation Friday that President Park Geun-hye defended Woo Byung-woo, her scandal-plagued senior secretary for civil affairs, the previous day.

In Thursday’s National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Park urged her cabinet and secretariat not to be swayed by criticism with their conviction as long as they do the right thing.

Her remarks were widely viewed as indications that she would not dismiss him despite snowballing allegations surrounding him.

“The President’s remarks were not meant to defend Woo,” presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.

“An NSC is a serious meeting discussing North Korea’s military activities and the nation security. The conviction was applied to those who protect the security of the nation and the people, not the civil affairs secretary.”

Woo, a former senior prosecutor, is facing multiple allegations, including asking online gaming company Nexon Korea to buy real estate owned by his in-laws, helping his son get special treatment during military service and providing secret legal counsel for a jailed businessman.

Despite the presidential office’s denial of the speculation, opposition parties denounced Park for the alleged defense of Woo despite their calls for his resignation.

“The President’s remarks mean declaring a confrontation against the people by stepping up the defense of Woo,” said Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea.

“This could define the Park government as self-righteousness and arrogant.”

People’s Party floor leader Rep. Park Jie-won urged Park to replace Woo, saying it is difficult for Woo to carry out his duty while involved in corruption allegations.

“The NSC is not a meeting to guarantee Woo’s job security,” Park said during a party meeting. “The public, opposition parties, and even some Saenuri Party members demand that Woo step down: it seems the President is the only one who does not understand the situation.”

In the face of worsening public sentiment, the ruling Saenuri Party shifted from its defensive stance against the opposition’s criticism.

Floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk said the party plans to ask Woo to appear at the National Assembly House Steering Committee, if necessary.

“This time, it will be hard to exclude Woo from the list of participants from the government’s side as many lawmakers want to listen to his explanation,” Chung said.

It has been customary that the senior secretary for civil affairs is allowed to not appear at the house steering committee which inspects the presidential office.

Park will be on summer holiday from Monday to Friday at the presidential residence, according to the presidential spokesman.

During her vacation, Park is expected to ponder how to press ahead with her reform agendas and deal with a series of pending issues, including her plan to offer special pardons to those serving prison terms in time for the Aug. 15 Liberation Day.