Politicians urge Park to take action over U.S. spying allegation

The government is under growing pressure from politicians to respond more sternly to allegations that the U.S. National Security Agency allegedly bugged 35 world leaders, including South Korean presidents.

South Korea has called on Washington to clarify the allegations through diplomatic channels. In an initial response, the U.S. said it understands Seoul’s concerns, officials said Tuesday.

“The government inquired with the U.S. government about whether South Korean presidents were subject to eavesdropping, but did not get an answer,” Rep. Chung Woo-taik of the ruling party said during a party meeting Wednesday.

“Should the allegations prove true, we should file a stern complaint and demand preventative measures.”

The lawmaker stressed that the truth about the allegations should first be revealed and then corresponding action should be taken. If South Korea does nothing, even after the allegations turn out to be true, it would amount to the country belittling itself internationally, he said.

Opposition lawmakers urged Park to take action in person, with DP leader Kim Han-gil calling for President Park to step forward.

“The people hope President Park is a stately president who protects the dignity of the Republic of Korea,” he said.

“The German chancellor and the French president protested by phone and the Brazilian president called off a trip to the U.S. But our president is keeping silent.”

Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the DP also called for an official protest, saying that the allegations, if confirmed, would mean that the U.S. has been eavesdropping on foreign leaders since 2006 and it could have hurt South Korea’s interests in free trade negotiations with the U.S. (From news reports)