By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
The Grand National Party Thursday asked the prosecution to investigate whether the head of the intelligence agency played a role in leaking classified information regarding GNP presidential contender Park Geun-hye.
The demand came when Kim Man-bok, director of the National Intelligence Service, attended a National Assembly committee session.
``There are rumors that the spy agency is trying to meddle in the presidential campaign. I will check with the NIS chief to ascertain whether the suspicions are true and if the agency was involved in any dubious activities designed to destabilize the GNP's leading presidential contenders,'' Rep. Chung Hyeong-keun said before the session.
The session was closed to the public to protect the classified nature of the agenda.
The main opposition GNP raised suspicions that the NIS could further circulate the classified file about the late religious leader Choi Tae-min, who was close to Park.
A former GNP chairwoman, Park said in an interview that Choi was her mentor who was there for her during her grief over the assassination of her mother in 1974.
A 16-page report titled ``Investigation Report Regarding Choi Tae-min,'' by Intelligence Agency, had been available online at the website of presidential contender Lee Hae-chan of the pro-government Uri Party between June 27 and July 2.
According to the GNP, the lengthy document contained such information as date of birth, family and educational background of Choi; and how he met Park, a daughter of the late President Park Chung-hee.
The file also had details of Choi's alleged involvement in various corruption cases and confidential data about his wealth accumulation.
The document was removed from the website after media advisement of the website and the information it contained.
GNP lawmakers said only top decision makers of the intelligence agency are allowed access to classified files regarding high-profile politicians.
Accordingly, the circulation of the files indicates that the chief or other high-ranking officials of the agency might have helped reveal the NIS data in order to intervene in the Dec. 19 presidential election, they said.
If their argument is supported by evidence, the spy chief has breached the law governing the spy agency, elections and public offices.
GNP lawmakers also expressed discontent about the agency's possible contribution in compiling and circulating classified files regarding financial transactions of another GNP presidential contender Lee Myung-bak.