(LEAD) Opposition parties intensify calls for special probe into comment rigging scandal

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 12-14)

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Opposition parties on Friday stepped up calls for an independent counsel probe into a burgeoning opinion rigging scandal involving an influential blogger with alleged ties to a ruling party lawmaker.

The minor opposition Bareunmirae Party decided to submit a bill to launch a special probe into the scandal and proposed holding a meeting of top officials with three other opposition parties to discuss its push for the probe as well as a separate parliamentary inquiry.

Earlier this week, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) already submitted its own bill to have a special prosecutor look into the scandal, expressing frustration over the ongoing investigation by the police, which it has decried as "too slow."

The minor Party for Democracy and Peace also pressed the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to accept the demand for a special probe, noting the growing suspicion that the police are attempting to attenuate the scandal.

Brushing aside the calls, the ruling party said the parties should wait until the end of the police investigation. It views the demand for a special probe as a political offensive ahead of the June local elections.

The opposition attacks have escalated, as DP Rep. Kim Kyoung-soo, a close confidant of President Moon Jae-in, has admitted that the key suspect in the scandal, nicknamed Druking, has contacted him since 2016 and asked for job favors. But Kim flatly denies any involvement in the case.

Druking and two others are charged with using a computer program in January to manipulate online public opinion. Kim's opponents suspect that Druking, once an avid supporter of Moon, might have used the program even in the lead-up to last year's presidential election.

The opposition parties escalated their onslaught after the police confirmed Friday that Kim and Druking shared a series of social media messages containing website links to political news stories from November 2016 until last month.

Kim voiced displeasure over the police's announcement.

"The investigation authorities should quicken their probe into the scandal to address citizens' suspicions rather than leaking the content of their investigation little by little," Kim told a press conference.

Despite the scandal, Kim has pressed ahead with his bid to run in the June 13 election for the South Gyeongsang Province governor post.

The ruling party defended Kim, claiming that conservative parties and media are sowing misinformation about the lawmaker.

"We express deep regrets over reports to the effect that Rep. Kim issued a directive to Druking to rig online comments and over the conservative parties making them a fait accompli," Back Hye-ryun, the party's spokeswoman, said in her commentary.

"Should information from the investigative authorities be exaggerated when the local elections are less than two months away, this would clearly be an act to influence the elections," she added.

The main opposition party continued its sit-in in front of the National Assembly's main building and staged a protest in front of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae to call for the special investigation.

"We cannot understand the attitude of Cheong Wa Dae, which says it wants a thorough probe and a clear verification of the truth but says it cannot accept the independent counsel probe," LKP floor leader Kim Sung-tae said.

The latest scandal has posed a major headache to the ruling bloc, which has sought the opposition parties' support for the passage of a 3.9 trillion won (US$3.64 billion) extra budget, aimed largely at creating jobs for young people, and for progress on parliamentary talks on a constitutional revision.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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