Yoon Seok-yeol's Side, "Stepdaughter Jo Seong-eun... Park Ji-won Gate Must Be Investigated"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The camp of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol announced plans to accuse Park Ji-won, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, claiming the so-called 'report solicitation' allegations are actually the 'Park Ji-won Gate.'

Today (the 12th), Jang Je-won, head of Yoon’s presidential campaign situation room and a member of the People Power Party, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, asserting, "There are suspicions that Director Park intervened in the presidential election to eliminate a leading opposition candidate." This is a rebuttal presented by the opposition after it was revealed that Cho Seong-eun, the whistleblower in the 'report solicitation' case, met with Director Park on the 11th of last month, before related reports surfaced.

Rep. Jang stated, "If the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Division (PCA) fails to uncover the National Intelligence Service’s interference in the presidential election through a strict investigation, this incident can only be seen as a political conspiracy orchestrated by Director Park and his 'political foster daughter,' Ms. Cho, to remove a leading opposition candidate in South Korea’s presidential election."

Regarding Ms. Cho’s denial of being behind the whistleblowing, Rep. Jang said, "I believe this will be revealed through the PCA’s investigation," and criticized it as "an act that seriously distorts and manipulates the public’s will in the election." He also dismissed Director Park and Ms. Cho’s explanation that their meeting was merely a casual meal, saying, "Even a passing cow would laugh at that," and added, "Director Park’s characteristic cunning, trying to evade responsibility by claiming it’s 'nothing special' and citing their usual acquaintance, is an act of mocking the public."

Rep. Jang further criticized Director Park, asking, "Is the position of the National Intelligence Service Director so leisurely and relaxed that he can have a meal with a young woman who is close to being a political ronin?" He added, "This is the real 'report solicitation' suspicion," and urged, "Mobile phones should be seized to check text messages and call records, and CCTV footage or QR records from the hotel must be promptly secured."

On the same day, Rep. Jang emphasized, "Tomorrow, I will file a complaint against Director Park for violating the National Intelligence Service Act and the Public Official Election Act," and reiterated, "We will thoroughly investigate all suspicions related to the 'Park Ji-won Gate.'" He also stated, "President Moon must clearly reveal the suspicions of election interference by power institutions, including Director Park," warning, "Otherwise, the 'Park Ji-won Gate' will spread like wildfire into the 'Moon Jae-in administration Gate.'"

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