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Following an internal investigation, Cheong Wa Dae concluded Tuesday that some officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade harmed national interests and disgracing themselves as diplomats by making ¡°improper remarks¡± about the president and his foreign policy, called for disciplinary actions against the officials.
Yet aside from the conclusion of Cheong Wa Dae¡¯s investigation, the case is showing signs of developing into a political issue, as major parties react to the scandal.
Rep. Lee Kang-too, a chief policymaker in the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), claimed that the responsibility for the unpleasant incident lies with the left-leaning foreign policy line, led by Lee Jong-seok, the secretary-general of the National Security Counsel (NSC). On the other hand, Rep. Shin Ki-nam of the Uri Party demanded the immediate replacement of the diplomats, who have ¡°a blind admiration for the United States and enjoy vested rights.¡±
Moon Jae-in, the senior presidential secretary for civic affairs, submitted on Tuesday a report on the outcome of his office¡¯s investigation to President Roh. The investigation lasted less than a month.
Several officials, including Cho Hyun-dong, a North American division director, are likely to face disciplinary measure, but Wi Sung-rak, the general-director of the North American Affairs Bureau, could also be called to account.
¡°According to our investigation, their improper remarks and behaviors were not limited just to their private gatherings, but were repeated several times, even at public meeting places,¡± a Cheong Wa Dae official said.
The official said that Cheong Wa Dae launched the investigation on Dec. 20 after getting tipped off earlier that month.
(Shin Jeong-rok, jrshin@chosun.com )
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