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Criticisms against the Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) are escalating over details surrounding the IPTV affair where an administrative officer forced three private telecommunications companies to provide large-scale funding to the Korea Digital Media Industry Association (KoDiMa) to manage IPTV.

The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) issued a statement on Sunday, saying “This affair in which the Cheong Wa Dae’s administrative officer demanded funds on behalf of powerful men in the current administration is typical of past authoritarian governments.” PSPD also added, “We believe that this affair could be a sign of influence-peddling.

The PSPD also stated, “Instead of launching a transparent investigation, the Cheong Wa Dae appears to be covering up the case.” The PSPD then asked the Cheong Wa Dae to take appropriate measures, including investigating its personnel. The PSPD says that if the Cheong Wa Dae refuses this demand, it will formally request an audit with the Board of Audit and Inspection and file a suit with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for its misuse of power.

On Sunday, the Social Movement to Combat Private Media Ownership and Enhance Public Media stated that this affair reveals the cozy relationship between politics and business, which only can be found in past authoritarian periods. The organization plans to hold a press conference in front of the Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 12 to urge the Cheong Wa Dae to investigate this affair.

Kim Jeong-dae, the director of the organization, said, “This affair in which Cheong Wa Dae officer asked three big telecom companies provide 25 billion Won in funding for KoDiMa is typical of a military regime.” Kim added, “It is crystal-clear that high-level officials have been involved.”

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