The chief of the ruling party acknowledged Wednesday the need for closer ties between his party and the presidential office amid growing allegations he was involved in a major scandal surrounding some of President Park Geun-hye's key aides.
On Monday, Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung was photographed looking at a notepad inscribed with writing accusing two people, identified by their initials K and Y, of masterminding the recent scandal triggered by the leak of a presidential document.
The document alleged that Jeong Yun-hoe, who served as Park's chief secretary during her term in parliament, meddled in state affairs behind the scenes through regular meetings with a group of incumbent presidential secretaries. According to the document, Jeong plotted to oust Park's current chief of staff, Kim Ki-choon.
Reports emerged Tuesday that K and Y are the initials of the ruling party chief and Rep. Yoo Seong-min of the same party, casting a pall on recent hopes that Park and her party could mend their strained ties.
"The party and Cheong Wa Dae are one body," Kim Moo-sung said during his New Year's press conference at the National Assembly, referring to the presidential office. "It's been reported that there is a rift between the party and Cheong Wa Dae, and it may appear so, but we have interacted until now without any problems.
"However, I think there is a need for closer interaction," he added, saying he will try to hold regular meetings with the president to relieve any concerns the public may have on the matter.
On the writing in the notepad, Kim said he had written down what someone had told him because it was so absurd.
"I was looking for a different note inside the main Assembly hall when it was photographed," he said. "It's actually quite ridiculous to be subject to such slander, but yesterday, it was also ridiculous to be accused on the news of intentionally doing so in order to be photographed."
Reports have pointed to a presidential official in charge of public relations as the person responsible for making the initial accusation.
The official denied having made such remarks but offered his resignation to take responsibility for causing trouble, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook told reporters.
The presidential office will accept his resignation and remove him from office, Min said, adding that it is in the process of verifying the allegations. (Yonhap)
