Prosecution opens probe on leaking of FTA documents
Yonhap News, Seoul
Prosecution opens probe on leaking of FTA documents
21 April 2007
SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) — The prosecution has launched an investigation into the leaking of confidential government documents on negotiation strategies for free trade talks with the United States, prosecution officials said Saturday.
The probe began at the request of the Foreign Ministry amid speculation that members of the National Assembly’s Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee were involved.
A special parliamentary panel earlier looked into whether some committee members leaked the documents to a local newspaper before South Korea and the U.S. held the sixth round of free trade talks in January, but failed to obtain hard evidence.
Earlier this month, South Korean and U.S. administration officials reached a free trade agreement which they believe will boost their economic exchanges. The pact requires approval from the legislatures of both countries.
