President Park Geun-hye on Monday sent an oblique warning to the opposition over the latest remarks questioning the legitimacy of her election and attacking her father President Park Chung-hee’s rule.

“I hope that there are no incidents where inappropriate comments undermine the unity and harmony of the people and that we open a dignified political era where (rivals) coexist,” Park said during a meeting of senior presidential secretaries on Monday.

“It is regrettable that unrefined remarks from various segments of society created many social problems and continue to do so. Words represent one’s character and those spoken by representatives of the people (represents) the national status.”

Park’s warning followed a stream of controversial remarks made by the DP in the past week, culminating in Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, then DP floor spokesman, calling Park the descendent of a “gwitae,” or a “baby born to a ghost,” to portray Park’s father as someone who should not have been born. He accused Park of trying to revive the authoritarian rule of her father as the opposition stepped up attacks against the NIS’ alleged smear campaign in favor of Park last year.

The incident led to vehement protest from Cheong Wa Dae, followed by an immediate apology from the DP leader, normalizing parliamentary procedure after a brief boycott by the Saenuri Party.

As the commotion appeared to subside, another key DP member, Rep. Lee Hae-chan, reignited the debate by slamming Park on Sunday for keeping silent about the NIS’ alleged political interference.

“Constant attempts to protect and lie (on behalf of the NIS) will only embolden the forces that will claim (Park’s election win) is invalid,” Lee said a during party event.

He then suggested close ties between Park’s family and the spy agency by saying, “Who created the central intelligence agency (precursor to the NIS), who is Park Chung-hee and who was he killed by?” The senior Park was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979.

The opposition has repeatedly attempted to link Park to her contentious history as her familial background remains one of her biggest assets as well as liabilities.

Lee’s remarks immediately drew a wave of condemnation from the ruling party.

“(The DP) must stop its rough language and curses that encourage distrust and show the backwardness of the National Assembly,” said Saenuri floor leader Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan on Monday.

Rep. Shim Jae-chul agreed and said, “It seems like the DP is sentimentally protesting the presidential election outcome. The way to solve the latest incidents is for DP leader Kim Han-gil to clarify that he accepts the election outcome and that he does not deny democracy.”

Park’s senior press secretary Lee Jung-hyun said, “Ruthlessly running the president down and making comments denying the legitimacy is a challenge against the people.” He reiterated Park’s earlier denial of having any involvement with the NIS and called on the opposition to stop linking Park to the NIS case.

The DP shot back and demanded Park apologize for the NIS case.

“(An administration’s) legitimacy is secured only when the people acknowledge it ... We have not forgotten the historical lesson where (Park Chung-hee’s regime) could not win legitimacy despite its attempt to stop the people’s speech by Yushin,” said Kim Han-gil. Yushin refers to the revised constitution introduced under the Park Chung-hee administration that allowed him to extend his term in office.

“It is now President Park’s turn to apologize.”

As a political collision escalates over the NIS probe and the controversial remarks allegedly made by former President Roh Moo-hyun during the 2007 inter-Korean summit, the intense tit-for-tat between the rivals looks set to continue as they seek to turn the tide in their favor, observers said.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)