Busungchan, Words Shared in a Broadcast Interview During Counterintelligence 'Search'...

Allegations of Cheonggong Residence Intervention Raised by Bu Seung-chan
"I Think It's Like Touching a Kind of Reverse Scale"
"Search Started Yesterday Morning, Will Continue for Another 5-6 Hours"

Former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan, who raised suspicions of 'Cheongong residence interference,' stated regarding the investigation by the Defense Counterintelligence Command on charges of violating the Military Secrets Protection Act, "I anticipated the search and seizure at my home," and added, "I think I may have touched a kind of reverse scale."

On the 24th, Bu appeared on the YouTube broadcast 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory,' hosted by Kim Eo-jun, saying, "The search and seizure has been underway since yesterday morning," and "There is forensic verification work, so the search and seizure is expected to continue for about 5 to 6 more hours."

On the afternoon of the 19th, Bu Seung-chan, former spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, held a book concert for his new book "Power and Security - The Defense History of the Moon Jae-in Government and the Cheongong Suspicion" at the Kim Man-deok Memorial Hall in Jeju City. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, the Counterintelligence Command conducted a search and seizure at Bu's residence and the spokesperson office PC used during his tenure at the Ministry of National Defense on suspicion of violating the Military Secrets Protection Act.

The Counterintelligence Command did not disclose the reporting party, detailed charges, or the scope of the search and seizure, citing it as an "ongoing investigation." However, it is known that this investigation is unrelated to the Cheongong-related suspicions. Bu's book contains militarily sensitive information such as details of closed-door meetings he attended and conversations with officials during his time as spokesperson, which has led to allegations of violating the Military Secrets Protection Act from both inside and outside the military and the Ministry of National Defense.

Recently, Bu raised suspicions of 'Cheongong's involvement in the presidential residence relocation' in his new book, Power and Security ? The Moon Jae-in Government's Defense Secrets and Cheongong Suspicion, claiming that the fortune teller 'Cheongong' interfered with the relocation of the Hannam-dong residence. Initially, the Army Chief of Staff's official residence was strongly considered as the candidate site for the presidential residence relocation, but the suspicion is that it was changed to the Foreign Minister's official residence shortly after Cheongong's visit.

Regarding the charges against him, Bu explained, "In December 2021, the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the U.S. was held, and it is alleged that I collected military secrets through memos and included them in my book publication, thereby leaking military secrets."

However, he stated that as a military expert, he did not include military secrets in the book. He asserted, "I wore a military uniform and dealt with military security, and I have actually conducted inspections. I know this field better than anyone. Even after reading the book two or three times, there is nothing that can be considered a military secret."

The exterior view of the Presidential Residence located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the charges in this situation, he claimed it was political retaliation, saying, "I think I may have touched a kind of reverse scale with Cheongong."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office filed criminal charges on the 3rd against two reporters from media outlets that first reported on Bu and the related matters.

In a notice that day, the Presidential Office stated, "These are baseless fake suspicions," and added, "We have decided to file criminal charges against the former Ministry of National Defense employee who published a book containing Cheongong suspicions at the level of 'rumors heard from someone who heard that Cheongong came,' and the two reporters from the media outlets who first reported this without objective additional fact-checking."