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지나쌤

Ruling party calls for thorough probe into NIS bribery scandal

By Yonhap

Published : Nov. 3, 2017 - 11:44

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The ruling Democratic Party on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the allegations that two former aides to corruption-tainted ex-President Park Geun-hye took bribes from the spy agency.

The call came hours after Ahn Bong-geun and Lee Jae-man, the former presidential secretaries, were arrested on suspicions that they received at least 4 billion won ($3.58 million) from National Intelligence Service officials from 2013 until July last year.

Lee has reportedly told the prosecution that Park directed him to accept the NIS funds -- an argument that could add a fresh charge for the disgraced former leader who has been on trial for bribery, abuse of power and other corruption charges.

Choo Mi-ae and Woo Won-shik, the leader and floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party, attend the party`s Supreme Council session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 3, 2017. (Yonhap) Choo Mi-ae and Woo Won-shik, the leader and floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party, attend the party`s Supreme Council session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 3, 2017. (Yonhap)

"It has been found that the NIS' funds for special activities were used as the safe of the Park Geun-hye administration," Woo Won-shik, the floor leader of the ruling party, said during a meeting with senior party officials.

"Now that there is a confession that Park directed her aide (to get the money), it is inevitable for the prosecution to investigate (officials who then worked for) the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae," he added.

Woo also argued that the NIS funds could not have been handed over to the presidential office without any directions from former NIS chiefs such as Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byung-kee who led the agency between 2013 and 2015.

Choo Mi-ae, the party leader, highlighted that the former president was at the center of the new bribery scandal.

"We cannot help but be shocked at the allegation that the two former aides received the money with a direct order from former President Park," she said. "The prosecution should verify the truth behind the case through an impartial probe." (Yonhap)

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