Lee Jae-oh, "I’ll Take the Full Responsibility for What I Said.”

Rep. Lee Jae-oh, a member of the GNP Supreme Council, and former Mayor Lee Myung-bak’s aide, raised suspicions that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) could be involved in a report targeting former Mayor Lee yesterday.

The report is referred to as the “MB (abbreviation for Myung Bak) X-File,” which covers allegations against Mr. Lee. But it is doubted whether the report really exists.

Today, he claimed, “Kim Man-bok, the director of NIS, called me to say that he would send the head of the Political Affairs Bureau to talk about the issue. But he later changed his attitude, saying, ‘Things have changed.’”

Rep. Lee attended the meeting of the GNP Supreme Council at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido today. He claimed, “The NIS may change its mind after consulting over the issue regarding the ‘X-File’ with the presidential office. Director Kim should answer the allegations against the agency.”

The NIS refuted Rep. Lee’s claim, saying, “If the GNP files complaints against us, we’ll fully support the investigation by prosecutors. But if the allegations against us prove false, Rep. Lee must pay a high legal price.” But Mr. Lee said, “That’s blackmail. Don’t worry. I’ll take the full responsibility for what I’ve raised legally as well as politically,”

He added, “It took 20 days to confirm reports surrounding the ‘X-File.` I also know the names of NIS agents related to the issue. But I didn’t include their names in my report as I was unable to meet them. If the director doesn’t give credible answers, a subcommittee of the party, the ‘National Alliance against Political Maneuvering by the Government,` will take up the issue.”

ddr@donga.com