By Park Ji-won

A senior lawmaker from the major opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) raised an allegation that Cheong Wa Dae intentionally delayed taking countermeasures against imports of North Korean coal to the South, insisting it "had no willingness to ban the shipments from the North."

Based on data from the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Coast Guard, Rep. Shim Jae-cheol claimed the Korea Customs Service was already aware of the fact the North Korean coal was shipped to the South, Oct. 3 and 11, by Sky Angel Rich Glory ships, after a tipoff from the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, the presidential office failed to convene a meeting for 13 days to deal with the case.

The LKP has been continuing criticism of the government, stating that it is covering up allegations on the issue and concealing the facts.

The presidential office has held four meetings on the matter, Oct. 16 and 24, and Nov. 10 last year and July 20 this year, Shim said.

Three South Korean firms allegedly imported North Korean coal on seven occasions between April and October last year in a possible violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions on Pyongyang. They were accused of forging customs documents to fake the country of origin as Russia.

Shim added that the meetings didn't come up with specific measures on the North Korean coal.

(责任编辑：新闻中心)