Rival parties Friday collided over opposition leader Moon Jae-in’s accusation that the ruling party is attempting to water down a graft scandal involving close confidants of President Park Geun-hye.

Moon, from the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, denied speculations Thursday that former late President Roh Moo-hyun granted a special pardon to deceased businessman Sung Woan-jong in his last days in office, even though he was not eligible for the pardon. Moon was Roh’s chief of staff at the time.

Saenuri chief Kim Moo-sung on Friday intensified a verbal attack against Moon, stating he has failed to clarify the speculation.

“The person who knows about (how Sung was granted a presidential pardon) is Moon,” Kim said after a government-party meeting on rice supply. “Why did he hold a press conference if he was not going to talk about it?”

The governing party raised the speculation, suggesting that Roh’s aides, including Moon, might have questionable ties to Sung, who has been at the center of the graft scandal.

Moon flatly denied the speculation and accused Saenuri of trying to divert public attention from the burgeoning graft scandal, which involves political heavyweights in the ruling party.

The opposition leader also demanded the establishment of a special probe, saying it is not appropriate for the president to appoint the investigative team when it is her aides that are being investigated.

“President Park Geun-hye should give a clear answer about whether she would keep her promise to launch an independent counsel,” said Moon.

The opposition leader also demanded Park’s top aides including her Chief of Staff Lee Byung-kee step down from the post for his alleged involvement into the case. Prior to his apparent suicide earlier this month, former Keangnam chairman Sung left a list of eight high-profile politicians who received bribes, including Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo and Park’s Chief of Staff Lee. Prime Minister Lee has since offered to resign.

The presidential office has rejected Moon’s demand.

“We are concerned that Moon’s remarks could invite suspicion that he is trying to influence the probe,” said presidential spokesperson Min Kyung-wook in Chile, where Park is on a three-day state visit.

Park has said she is willing to consider the measures necessary to completely resolve the suspicions.

“I have no reason to rule out an investigation by an independent counsel if the adoption of it can help find the truth,” Park was quoted as saying, according to the ruling party chief ahead her four-nation swing to South America.

By Cho Chung-un, news reports (christory@heraldcorp.com)