The prosecution on Sunday sought an arrest warrant for former presidential secretary Cho Eung-cheon, who is suspected of orchestrating the leak of presidential documents about former aide Chung Yoon-hoi.

The prosecution is said to have secured witness accounts that Cho personally delivered the so-called “Chung Yoon-hoi documents” to the president’s brother Park Ji-man.

The Chung Yoon-hoi document is an intelligence report compiled by police Superintendent Park Gwan-cheon claiming that Chung colluded with presidential aides and meddled in state affairs. Chung is a former aide of President Park Geun-hye, and the prosecution has concluded that allegations against him are false.

Until now, the investigators had believed that the document was leaked to the media by police inspectors Choi and Han, who secretly copied intelligence reports in the possession of Park Gwan-cheon.

The prosecution also previously concluded that the superintendent had fabricated the report about Chung having placed Park Ji-man under surveillance.

However, Park Ji-man is now said to have told the investigators that Cho gave him the report himself.

According to reports, Park Ji-man told the investigators on Dec. 23 that he received the document in question from Cho. In addition, Park Gwan-cheon is reported to have told the investigators that Cho was aware that he temporarily removed documents from the presidential office without authorization.

The prosecution’s move to arrest Cho further riled the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy. The NPAD, which has called for an independent counsel investigation into the developments, accused the prosecution of working under orders from Cheong Wa Dae and burying the real issues.

Calling the prosecution “pitiful” for conducting the investigation exactly according to Cheong Wa Dae’s directions, NPAD spokesperson Rep. Park Soo-hyun said the probe was deceiving the public.

“Trying to move on while the power struggle (among the president’s associates) is still buried is an act of deceiving the people,” Park said.

Citing the prosecution’s approach to the case, which involved ruling Saenuri Party Rep. Chung Moon-hun and the disclosing of details of the 2007 inter-Korean summit, Park also raised questions about the fairness of the probe. The prosecution requested a 5 million won ($4,500) fine, and the courts issued a 10 million won fine to Chung.

“The sky cannot be hidden with a hand. (The party) once again calls for an independent counsel investigation and a parliamentary investigation,” Park said.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)