Kijun Times

The Minjoo Party of Korea’s lawmakers hold a press conference demanding presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo’s resignation at the National Assembly on Friday. (Yonhap)
Cheong Wa Dae on Friday strongly denounced an alleged information leak by a special inspector looking into the corruption scandal of a presidential aide, saying that such an act would constitute a “grave violation of law.”

The remarks came amid the allegation that former prosecutor Lee Seok-su -- tasked with reviewing corruption allegations surrounding senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Woo Byung-woo -- leaked related information to local media.

Local broadcaster MBC reported Tuesday that he illegally told an unidentified reporter that he would refer Woo’s case to the prosecution if he continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Lee on Thursday formally advised the prosecution to launch a probe on Woo for suspected embezzlement and abuse of authority.

The latest allegation further complicated the controversy surrounding Woo, who is now pressured not only by the opposition parties but also some members of the ruling Saenuri Party to resign.

President Park Geun-hye refused to sack Woo in the Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week.

“(The leak of information) is a grave breach of the law and a matter that can’t be tolerated,” senior presidential secretary for public affairs Kim Sung-woo told reporters.

“In order to prevent such acts from sabotaging the nation’s essence, we need to find out how and why the leak happened,” he said.

According to the law, a special prosecutor can face a prison sentence of up to five years for leaking information related to an ongoing investigation.

Lee took a leave of absence Friday and did not release any public statement as of the afternoon.

A prosecutorial probe on Woo will be the first case in which an incumbent presidential secretary for civil affairs is subject to the prosecutors’ investigation. Woo’s job responsibilities include verifying nominees for high-profile posts including prosecutors’ office and supervising irregularities in presidential offices.

Woo has been suspected of abusing his authority to help his son get special treatment during military service. He is also accused of misappropriating funds from a company run by his family.

But other charges, including suspicious monetary transactions over a costly piece of Gangnam real estate in 2011, were excluded from the investigation since the deal had taken place before Woo took office at the Blue House.

The exclusion, in turn, prompted another debate over the limited authority of the special inspection system.

Created in 2014 as part of President Park’s election pledge, the system allows special inspectors to look into any irregularities involving government officials. The inspectors are appointed by the president and granted three years of tenure. They are selected among lawyers with more than 15 years of legal experience. 

“(The police) would not budge, as if the presidential office is gripping its neck. Every time I asked them for information, they pretended not to hear my request,” MBC quoted Lee as telling the reporter in question. “There is nothing I can do if Woo retains his post,” he said.

While Cheong Wa Dae lambasted the leak allegation, the opposition parties slammed the presidential office for attempting to deviate from the core of the scandal, and repeated their calls for Woo to step down.

The Minjoo Party leader Rep. Kim Chong-in called Cheong Wa Dae’s criticism a “distraction” to undermine investigation into the president’s close aide.

“It is quite odd for (the presidential office) to talk as if the special prosecutor did something wrong. We ask that Cheong Wa Dae think about whether the people will accept (your) attempt to demean the special inspector’s role,” he said.

Even some Saenuri lawmakers, such as its floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk, suggested it may be time for Woo to leave.

Chung said Friday that Woo’s resignation is a “common-sense measure” and that most party members agreed with his view. The four-term lawmaker outside of the faction close to President Park also wrote a similar message on his Facebook account a day before.

Saenuri Party leader Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, however, remained reserved. The former presidential secretary for public affairs said that the authorities should get to the bottom of allegations involving both presidential aide Woo and prosecutor Lee. He did not comment on whether he thought Woo should resign.