Key figures in the Blue House document leak scandal are engaged in a war of words even as prosecutors begin to investigate the case.

In an interview with a newspaper, Jo Eung-cheon, former presidential secretary for civil service discipline, claimed that he received a phone call from Lee Jae-man, secretary to the president for administrative affairs, in April. Jo said Lee asked him to take a call from Chung Yoon-hoi, a former aide to President Park Geun-hye.

Chung, who does not hold an official post in the administration, is said to have interfered in state affairs, according to a Segye Ilbo report citing the leaked document. Jo said in the interview that he did not pick up Chung’s calls and was dismissed a few days later. Jo’s claim contradicted earlier testimony by Lee at the National Assembly during which he said he had not met Chung for some 10 years.

In an interview which took place after Jo’s interview, Chung admitted to calling Lee in April as well as calling Lee and another presidential personal secretary after the Segye Ilbo news broke last week. This is a change from his previous claim, stated only the day before, that he had not been in contact with Park’s secretaries for several years.

Disclosures by Jo and Chung offer a glimpse into the political intrigue allegedly going on inside the Blue House. Jo’s allegation that Park’s three closest secretaries were involved in government personnel appointments has brought to the fore what has long been suspected ― that the three wield great power and influence in the Blue House. Chung’s shifting comments on whether he was in contact with the presidential secretaries cast doubt on his claim that the leaked document is false. The Segye Ilbo, citing the leaked document, reported that Chung met with presidential secretaries to plot an ouster of Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon and that the group met regularly to discuss state and Blue House affairs

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office quickly set about investigating the Blue House document leak. On Wednesday, prosecutors raided the Dobong Police Station where the police officer suspected of having written and leaked the Blue House document is currently working. It also raided the police officer’s residence and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The police officer has been told to appear for questioning this week.

Park, during Monday’s meeting with her senior aides, called on the prosecutors to thoroughly investigate the leak while appearing to discredit the leaked report as a compilation of false rumors. Political observers warn that her remarks could be construed as a “guideline” for the prosecution to follow in its investigation.

The prosecution should make a thorough job of investigating the libel case brought against Segye Ilbo by eight Blue House officials mentioned in the leaked document, and investigating the leak at the request of the Blue House. This is an opportunity for the prosecution, which has been seen as toeing the administration line, to regain credibility and honor.

Political parties, for their part, should not exploit the latest scandal for political gain at the expense of the Blue House. The fact that, despite the brewing scandal, the National Assembly was able to pass the annual budget for next year on Tuesday night, meeting the deadline for the passage for the first time in 12 years, allows the hope that the scandal will not consume all of politics and paralyze the government.