On August 7, Cheong Wa Dae announced it would seek civil and criminal liability against Japan’s Sankei Shimbun for publishing an article titled, “President Park Geun-hye Missing on the Day of the Ferry Accident, Who Did She Meet?” Key Cheong Wa Dae officials made an unprecedented visit to the press room this day and conveyed their decision. It shows their determination to take strong action against the coverage.

Yoon Doo-hyun, senior secretary for public relations and Cho Yoon-sun, senior secretary for political affairs met with reporters this day and said, “They wrote something, so shameful to even mention, in an article. We will sternly seek civil and criminal liability. We will not stop until we get to the end of this matter.” They added, “Perhaps they may gain one more reader with lies. It is important to take stern action, but it is also important to pursue the issue until the end.”

They continued, “Civic groups have also accused the Sankei Shimbun. In a civil and criminal litigation, the situation differs depending on whether the subject is the party in question or a third party. The lawsuit has already begun with the accusation of a third party, but its legal significance can be quite different according to the subject of the lawsuit. We will sternly hold those responsible until the end.”

On August 3, the Sankei Shimbun mentioned that on April 16, the day of the ferry accident, President Park’s whereabouts for about 7 hours were not identified and stated allegations that this was due to her private life.

On rumors that the president will replace Cheong Wa Dae Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon relayed in some Internet media, Yoon dismissed them saying, “There have been no such actions so far according to our knowledge. They even mentioned a successor, but he is overseas.” One media outlet reported that Hyun Kyung-dae, executive vice chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council was to succeed Kim.