Police To Investigate Leakage of Canal Report

Suspicions surrounding an allegedly fabricated government report on Grand National Party presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak’s cross-country canal project are spreading.

On June 20, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation asked the police to investigate how the report was leaked, while the GNP demanded the dismissal of Construction and Transportation Minister Lee Yong-sup.

After a briefing at the Gwacheon Government Complex on the same day, Minister Lee said, “I requested an investigation on the leakage of the government report.”

Lee explained, “It is true that the 9-page report to Cheong Wa Dae and the 37-page report revealed by the press are different. It seems that the latter was made based on what was discussed in the government’s task force. Who leaked it to whom with what intention needs to be investigated.”

The Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency Investigation Department is planning to investigate who composed the two reports and for what purpose, whether the leaked one was fabricated or altered, and how it was leaked. They will summon those involved after a preliminary investigation.

Grand Canal Promotion Center chief Park Seung-hwan said at a press conference, “One altercation leads to another altercation. We demand an investigation of the government in relation to the altered report. We will also submit a motion for the dismissal of Minister Lee, who made a false statement at the National Assembly.”

Hong Sa-deok, head of the campaign committee for Park Geun-hye, another GNP presidential candidate, said concerning Lee Myung-bak camp’s offensive move, “They are trying to turn attention away from their troubles. Prosecutors should handle the case.”