South Korean President Lee Myung-bak yesterday ordered an investigation into claims his government had conducted illegal surveillance of a businessman, officials said.
Opposition parties have said Lee In-Kyu, a senior official in charge of supervising public servants’ ethics, led the unauthorized operation.
The businessman claimed his office was illegally searched after he posted a video clip criticizing the Lee government on his blog in June 2008.
President Lee yesterday ordered his aides to “reveal the truth swiftly and thoroughly, and sternly punish those responsible” for legal breaches, if any were uncovered, according to the presidential office.
Seoul’s YTN television news and other local media said Lee In-kyu, who is only authorized to investigate public servants, had led the operation under the instructions from unidentified aides of President Lee.
Lee In-kyu was suspended from his post on June 21, soon after opposition lawmakers first raised the issue.
His team formally belongs to the Prime Minister’s Office but actually works for the presidential office, according to local media.
Prime Minister Chung Un-chan on Friday also called for a thorough probe, saying his office was considering asking prosecutors to investigate the case.
The president’s office yesterday also refused to confirm reports that Chung would likely resign over the failure of a multi-billion dollar plan to develop a new city as a science, business and education hub.
A senior official at the prime minister’s office told Yonhap news agency on Friday that Chung would likely inform President Lee Myung-bak yesterday of his intention to step down over the failed government plan.
Parliament rejected the Lee government’s proposal on Tuesday, signaling the revival of an earlier plan to relocate nine ministries and four government agencies to Sejong City, 150km south of Seoul.
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