Former first lady sues ruling party lawmaker for defamation

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- The wife of former president Kim Dae-jung has launched
a defamation suit against a ruling party lawmaker who alleged that she or her
acquaintance may have received bribe money from a major lender, prosecutors said
Tuesday.
According to officials at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Lee
Hee-ho recently filed a defamation suit against Rep. Joo Sung-young of the Grand
National Party, who claimed last year that he found circumstantial evidence that
part of a 6 trillion won (US$3.97 billion) slush fund operated by Shinhan Bank
may have been sent to Lee or a close acquaintance of hers.
Prosecutors said they were investigating whether there is any hard evidence that
corroborates Joo's allegation.
Joo is already under investigation for a separate defamation suit launched by Kim
in October 2008.
Last October, Joo disclosed copies of certificate of deposits he claimed belong
to the former president, saying he received a tip from former authorities that
the documents represented slush funds belonging to Kim. He claimed that the
prosecution had obtained the CDs in 2006 but had not properly looked into the
allegation.
After an investigation, prosecutors concluded earlier this month that the
accusation was groundless.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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