Calls are growing within the ruling Saenuri Party to open a special probe into the recent claims by former North Korean spy Kim Hyon-hui that the Roh Moo-hyun administration attempted to manipulate her as being bogus.

Kim, a former North Korean operative responsible for the bombing of the Korean Air flight in 1987, claimed in a recent television interview that the former administration attempted to make her out as a fraud ― saying that she was not really a North Korean operator ― while trying to deport her overseas.

The Saenuri Party called for clarification on Kim’s claims.

“We question whether or not the Roh Moo-hyun administration structurally gathered forces for the sake of achieving the political purpose of holding the inter-Korean summit and save (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-il from international society’s condemnation by trampling upon the sacrifice of the 115 (who were killed in the bombing),” Saenuri spokesman Rep. Kim Young-woo said in a statement.

“Those involved must take responsibility and ask for forgiveness by clarifying the truth,” the statement said.

“There are several lawmakers who are calling on the need to form a committee to investigate the claim and it is something that could be discussed,” Kim told The Korea Herald.

Saenuri floor leader Lee Hahn-koo was quoted as telling Munhwa Ilbo that there was a need to form an investigation committee in whatever form, such as within the National Assembly or within the party, to dig for the truth.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)