Seoul: The office of Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has issued a stern warning to one of its officials after a lawmaker claimed the official posed as a reporter and asked questions during a press conference at the National Assembly, officials said Friday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the incident occurred on Thursday when Rep. Han Dong-hoon was conducting a press briefing about a lobbying scandal involving the justice minister nominee. In the middle of the session, an unidentified individual inquired about the lawmaker's previous criticism of the prime minister. When questioned about his affiliation, the person claimed to be an ordinary citizen. It was later discovered that he was an official from the Prime Minister's Office.

During a parliamentary interpellation session later that day, Rep. Han Dong-hoon criticized the prime minister, suggesting that the incident amounted to illicit surveillance of a lawmaker. The Prime Minister's Office refuted these accusations, explaining that the official had asked the question spontaneously while passing through the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly, a publicly accessible area.

"It is not true that he intentionally sneaked into the presser," the office stated, clarifying that the official's actions were not premeditated.

The Prime Minister's Office did concede, however, that the conduct was unacceptable. "Regardless of the reason, it is inappropriate for an incumbent public official to ask questions without identifying himself," the office said, adding that a stern warning has been issued concerning the matter.