Joo Jin-woo Raises Suspicions of Collusion Between NEC Special Counsel and President Lee; Cheong Wa Dae Says, "Not True"

[Financial News] People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo on the 30th raised suspicions of "collusion," claiming that a document President Lee Jae Myung posted on X (formerly Twitter) indicated he had received reports from the NEC special counsel on the status of its investigation. The special counsel team, led by Special Counsel Lee Tae-han, explained, "We do not know the content of the document or the circumstances surrounding it," while Cheong Wa Dae dismissed the allegation, saying, "It is not true."
Joo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall that day and criticized the president, asking, "Is the president the special counsel's superior? Is Cheong Wa Dae the special counsel's command authority?" On the previous day, the 29th, President Lee posted on X a document titled "Daily Comprehensive Situation Report" dated September 29 while mentioning the "recent achievements of the Voice Phishing Integrated Response Team." At the end of the document was the phrase "NEC special counsel recount of ballots at the Olympic Park handball gymnasium OOOOO."
He said, "A confidential Cheong Wa Dae document for external distribution that President Lee himself posted on social media revealed the phrase 'NEC special counsel, recount of ballots at the Olympic Park handball gymnasium.' The document contained a reference to the NEC special counsel at the end of a confidential document, and it was accidentally exposed," claiming, "This is strong evidence that President Lee was colluding with or surveilling the NEC special counsel. It is a serious disruption of the constitutional order that trampled on the independence of the NEC special counsel and a clear crime."
Joo urged President Lee to "immediately disclose the original version of the redacted document and all special counsel reports received to date" and called on him to "immediately request a special inspection into Cheong Wa Dae's intervention in the investigation and the illegal leakage of confidential investigative information."
He demanded that the special counsel team "thoroughly determine whether anyone inside the team colluded with Cheong Wa Dae" and "explain the status of the investigation transparently to the public every day."
Cheong Wa Dae expressed regret over Joo's allegations. It stated, "The content received by the president was based on a security situation report from the Korean National Police Agency stating that postponing the NEC special counsel's verification of ballots at the Olympic Park handball gymnasium had resolved concerns about clashes with rally participants. It was unrelated to the status of the NEC investigation."
Joo then countered, "The issue of the Olympic Park recount ended more than a month ago, so it makes no sense for a month-old matter to be received as a daily important report," adding, "The reporting entity is also listed as the NEC special counsel."
In a media notice issued that day, the NEC special counsel team explained, "Regarding the entries in the 'daily comprehensive situation report document posted on the president's social media account' reported by some media outlets, the NEC special counsel team does not know the content of the entries or the circumstances surrounding them. We reiterate that we will continue to conduct the investigation independently, without any political considerations."

[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter