Joo Ho-young: "The whistleblower of the secret agreement was a former high-ranking official... The president must clarify the truth"

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[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, revealed that the whistleblower who provided the secret agreement containing a side deal with North Korea is a former high-ranking government official.

On the morning of the 28th, just before the National Assembly's National Defense Committee meeting, Joo told reporters when asked about the source, "A trustworthy former high-ranking government official, that's all I will say." The United Future Party had raised concerns the day before about a secret side agreement involving the provision of $2.5 billion to North Korea, which bore the signature of Park Ji-won, the nominee for the National Intelligence Service director.

When asked whether he had obtained a copy of the secret agreement reported by an internet media outlet, he denied it, saying "No." Joo added, "If this document is genuine, there would be a copy in Pyongyang, and the original would be kept somewhere in our country's Blue House or National Intelligence Service, so it is impossible to obtain the original."

He said, "The truth can never be hidden forever. Won't the historical truth be revealed? There are more than just one or two people involved," adding, "If necessary, there will be a day when measures are taken to get one step closer to the truth through some process." On the same day, the United Future Party also proposed a state audit to verify the authenticity of the side agreement involving nominee Park.

Joo said, "Since such an issue has been raised, the president must confirm whether there was a side deal," adding, "If confirmed that there was none, it should be publicly stated and the appointment proceed; if there was, appropriate measures must be taken. This is an essential procedure for the security of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Verifying the authenticity is not difficult. First, there is the method of directly confirming with the nominee, and Seo Hoon, who was deeply involved in the negotiations as the then National Intelligence Service director, is now the presidential security chief, so it won't take long to confirm," adding, "If confirmed, it is naturally the president's duty to disclose to the public whether there was a side agreement or not."

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