Daejon Metropolitan Police Agency Chief Hwang Un-ha, who helmed the probe at the time as then-chief of Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency, is under investigation for abuse of power and violations of the laws on public official election and anti-graft.

On Thursday, Song admitted to having spoken with a Cheong Wa Dae official about corruption rumors surrounding Kim’s close associates in late 2017. However, he denied that it was intended as a tipoff.

Regarding the Ulsan vice mayor’s claims, the presidential secretary for public communication Yoon Do-han said investigative authorities “will get to the bottom of the truth.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Hong Ik-pyo of the ruling Democratic Party rebutted allegations that Cheong Wa Dae had intervened in the probe.

“In the intelligence memo (on the ex-Ulsan mayor), forwarded to police by the presidential senior secretary for civil affairs office, there is no evidence of Cheong Wa Dae ordering or influencing the probe,” he said.

Last month, prosecutors kicked off a probe into the case following suspicions Cheong Wa Dae might have been behind the probe of Kim, who was challenged by Song Cheol-ho, a ruling party candidate with close ties to President Moon Jae-in.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)