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Revolt probe continues as UPP accuses NIS of fabrication

By Choi He-suk

The National Intelligence Service resumed its delayed search on leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki’s office on charges of plotting an armed rebellion, as his party accused the spy agency of fabricating the case to “oppress democracy.” 

“The NIS, which is the culprit of shaking the nation’s fundamentals, is oppressing the progressive-democratic forces on a scale unseen in history,” Lee said at the Unified Progressive Party’s emergency conference on Thursday. The search of Lee’s office, one of 18 locations the authorities raided on Wednesday, was delayed due to resistance from his aides.
On Wednesday the NIS raided the homes and offices of Lee and other individuals linked to the UPP over allegations that they were involved in plans for a revolt. 

Lee is accused of forming a “revolutionary organization” within the East Gyeonggi Coalition, and ordering his collaborators to obtain firearms and to make attack plans against key infrastructure facilities.

Lee Jung-hee, the outspoken leader of the minor opposition party, also accused the authorities of attempting to frame and dismantle the party.

“Cheong Wa Dae and the NIS has launched an extraordinary fabrication against the UPP. This is a plot to isolate and exterminate the progressive forces to disband the UPP,” Lee Jung-hee said Thursday. The UPP also launched an emergency committee to respond to “NIS’ fabrication of rebellion conspiracy and oppression.” 

While those involved continue to deny the allegations and make accusations of their own, the authorities are speeding up the investigation.
Three individuals were taken into custody, and 14 -- including Lee -- have since been banned from leaving the country. 

The authorities are also seeking warrants to detain the three in custody; Hong Soon-seok, Han Dong-geun and Lee Sang-ho. 

Hong is the deputy chief of the UPP’s Gyeonggi Province branch while Han served as the chief of the party’s Suwon office. Lee Sang-ho is an adviser at a progressive group based in Gyeonggi Province. 

The investigators are also said to have found a large sum of cash at Lee Seok-ki’s home and are now looking into its origins to determine whether the money is linked to the latest allegations.
 
The main opposition Democratic Party, which is conducting a campaign to reform the NIS, is distancing itself from the UPP and observing the situation. 

The DP has decided to forgo the demonstration calling for reform of the NIS, in which the UPP will be participating.

The main opposition also stressed the need for the case to be investigated thoroughly. 

“If the allegations are true, then this is another case of shaking the nation’s fundamentals. The case requires a thorough investigation,” DP spokesperson Rep. Bae Jae-jeung said. 

As for questions about the timing of the investigation, the DP spokeswoman only mentioned the issue in passing and that the party will closely monitor the developments. 

The timing of the investigation has been called into question as the spy agency is facing allegations that it interfered with last year’s presidential election.

(cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)