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A controversial ultraright civic group’s chief on Friday denied allegations that its pro-government demonstration over the past few years had been orchestrated by the presidential office.
Korea Parent Federation Secretary-General Choo Sun-hee appeared for questioning by the prosecution over charges that he received illicit money from the Federation of Korean Industries. He is suspected of receiving more than 500 million won ($423,785) from the business association.
Before entering the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Choo told reporters that the 10-year-old ultraconservative organization has no ties to political and business circles.
His group has been accused of staging rallies to advocate government initiative under instruction from Cheong Wa Dae. Its demonstration had often collided with liberal agendas and caused violent clashes with left-wing activists.
“There was no order from Cheong Wa-dae,” said Choo when asked by reporters whether the presidential office had been involved with prompting the rallies.
The Citizens Coalition for Economic Justice in April filed charges of embezzlement and violation of the law that forbids creating bank accounts under a false name.
The civic group has claimed that the KFP had received the illicit fund under the names of North Korean defectors and distributed the money to those who joined the rally.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions and six other labor groups pressed charges in May against a Cheong Wa Dae official for allegedly abusing his power to orchestrate rallies to push government agenda – such as the contentious deal in 2015 between Korea and Japan over compensation for sex slavery victims.
During an interview with weekly newspaper in April, Choo admitted that he received a text message from Huh Hyun-joon who he said had asked him to hold the rally. Huh has been working as an administrator for the presidential office’s communication department.
But the activist said that he had “coordinated” with the official and had not followed instructions from him. Huh had also dismissed the report as “inaccurate” and filed a lawsuit against the news outlet who reported on the alleged text messages. Cheong Wa Dae has also denied any ties with the organization.
By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)
