Messenger Attack Launched by Opposition... "Jo Seong-eun and Park Ji-won, Suspicious Meeting and Potential Park Ji-won Gate"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The People Power Party has intensified suspicions regarding the whistleblower, Jo Seong-eun, in connection with the ‘accusation fabrication’ allegations. In particular, they raised their voices demanding clarification of the ‘suspicious meeting’ reported by the media, where Jo reportedly met with Park Ji-won, the Director of the National Intelligence Service.

Joseong-eun (center) is speaking at the National Assembly in February last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on social media (SNS), "According to media reports, Jo secretly met with Park Ji-won, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, at a hotel restaurant in Seoul on August 11 last month," adding, "This meeting occurred between July 21, the date when the internet media outlet ‘Newsbus’?which first reported the incident?claimed to have received a Telegram chat capture from Jo, and September 2, when the first report was published."

Floor leader Kim said, "Jo served as a nomination committee member for the People’s Party in 2016 and established ties with Park Ji-won, who was then the party leadership. Later, Park served as the emergency committee chairman of that party, and Jo has expressed affectionate feelings toward Park on her Facebook until recently, making their relationship inseparable, like limbs," adding, "Since the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has conducted an investigation with absolute power despite unclear evidence or circumstances against a prominent opposition presidential candidate, it is only right that the CIO immediately investigate this suspicious meeting between Park and Jo as well."

The camp of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl also responded to related reports, saying, "We are utterly shocked," and "Given the suspicion that even the head of the intelligence agency was involved in eliminating Yoon Seok-youl as a presidential candidate, this incident is sufficient to be defined as ‘the National Intelligence Service’s interference in the presidential election.’" Lee Sang-il, the spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon, stated, "If Park Ji-won is involved in this operation, it will cause a huge scandal known as the ‘Park Ji-won Gate,’" and insisted, "An immediate search and seizure of Park’s mobile phone and other devices must be conducted to dispel public suspicion."

Other presidential candidates also joined in agreement. Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong pointed out on SNS, "At a time approaching the presidential election, the National Intelligence Service Director has invited suspicion of conspiring in political manipulation beyond mere political interference," calling it "an appalling act unacceptable for the head of the National Intelligence Service." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized, "The current National Intelligence Service Director has appeared and is fueling another suspicion," adding, "If the head of the National Intelligence Service, legally prohibited from interfering in domestic politics, was involved, it is a clear illegality and he must be held accountable." Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said, "The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials must immediately book Park Ji-won and swiftly investigate the political manipulation allegations," and added, "It is absurd to claim that two politicians who frequently meet and talk never discussed politics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.