Police have summoned a National Intelligence Service official again to investigate allegations that she vilified opposition candidate Moon Jae-in in online comments during the election period.
Suseo Police Station in southern Seoul said its investigators found that the agent reportedly clicked an approval/objection button attached to Internet posts regarding the presidential candidates.
“Comments or posts that support a certain presidential candidate have not been found. The police, however, will question her again on Friday since a public officer’s expression of ‘approval’ or ‘objection’ to writings on the election could amount to an election law violation,” police sources said.
The law requires government employees to remain neutral in elections.
Members of the opposition Democratic United Party made allegations that she was a member of an NIS team involved in a online smear campaign against the opposition candidate for months.
The DUP members and police tried to search her residence on Dec. 11, but she locked herself inside, denying entry to those at the scene.
The police later proceeded with the investigation after receiving her laptops and had a face-to-face interview on Dec 15.
Right after the final presidential debate ended on Dec. 16, the police announced that they had not found any evidence of wrongdoing.
The opposition party accused the police of failing to investigate the matter thoroughly.
By Kim Young-won (
wone0102@heraldcorp.com)
