ID :
54721
Fri, 04/10/2009 - 15:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/54721
The shortlink copeid
Former president received US$1 mln at presidential office: prosecutors
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Former President Roh Moo-hyun received US$1 million
from a local businessman at the presidential office, prosecutors investigating a
growing bribery scandal claimed Thursday.
State prosecutors alleged that Roh met with Park Yeon-cha, a businessman indicted
on charges of giving billions of won in bribes to political heavyweights within
the walls of Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office complex. Park, the chairman
of shoemaker Taekwang Industry Co., is reported to have been one of Roh's chief
supporters and fund-raisers before Roh became president.
"We have secured testimony from Park that the former president requested the
money," Hong Man-pyo, head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's investigation
planning division, said.
He said that the businessman did not say he loaned the money or that there was
any indication that the sum was borrowed by Roh.
Investigators also said that the $1 million was handed to the former president
and did not go to a third party or his family.
Sources said that based on evidence gathered so far, they could move to charge
the former leader, who stepped down from office last year, with bribe-taking.
The allegations come after Roh confessed on Tuesday through his Internet home
page that his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, had accepted money from Park to repay a debt.
Roh's admission has cast a shadow on the legacy of the former president, who took
office in 2003 pledging clean politics.
The former president's older brother has already been indicted on charges of
colluding with Park to broker a buyout of an ailing securities firm from a
state-run company in 2006, while a probe is underway that may implicate his son
in the exchange of illicit funds.
Investigators are expected to summon and question the former first couple as
early as next week to find out whether Roh knew about his wife's past dealings
with Park. Jung Sang-moon, an aide to Roh during his term, was found to have
organized the transaction between Park and the former first lady.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
from a local businessman at the presidential office, prosecutors investigating a
growing bribery scandal claimed Thursday.
State prosecutors alleged that Roh met with Park Yeon-cha, a businessman indicted
on charges of giving billions of won in bribes to political heavyweights within
the walls of Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office complex. Park, the chairman
of shoemaker Taekwang Industry Co., is reported to have been one of Roh's chief
supporters and fund-raisers before Roh became president.
"We have secured testimony from Park that the former president requested the
money," Hong Man-pyo, head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's investigation
planning division, said.
He said that the businessman did not say he loaned the money or that there was
any indication that the sum was borrowed by Roh.
Investigators also said that the $1 million was handed to the former president
and did not go to a third party or his family.
Sources said that based on evidence gathered so far, they could move to charge
the former leader, who stepped down from office last year, with bribe-taking.
The allegations come after Roh confessed on Tuesday through his Internet home
page that his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, had accepted money from Park to repay a debt.
Roh's admission has cast a shadow on the legacy of the former president, who took
office in 2003 pledging clean politics.
The former president's older brother has already been indicted on charges of
colluding with Park to broker a buyout of an ailing securities firm from a
state-run company in 2006, while a probe is underway that may implicate his son
in the exchange of illicit funds.
Investigators are expected to summon and question the former first couple as
early as next week to find out whether Roh knew about his wife's past dealings
with Park. Jung Sang-moon, an aide to Roh during his term, was found to have
organized the transaction between Park and the former first lady.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
