ID :
57560
Mon, 04/27/2009 - 06:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/57560
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Roh to be interrogated by prosecutors next week in bribery scandal
SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun will be questioned by state prosecutors next week in their widening probe into a bribery scandal, according to Roh's aide Sunday.
Roh will be the third South Korean president to face prosecutors' summons
following Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, both of whom were convicted of receiving
illicit political funds.
Roh, now staying in his southern hometown near Busan, plans to appear in the
headquarters of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul at 1:30 p.m. on April
30, said Moon Jae-in, former presidential chief of staff. Moon is working as
Roh's attorney in the case. Roh plans to travel to Seoul by land.
"Concrete transportation will be decided in consultations with a security team,"
Moon told Yonhap News Agency over phone.
Roh earlier admitted that his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, had taken money from Park
Yeon-cha, head of shoe manufacturer Taekwang Industry. The businessman was
arrested in December on charges of offering a huge amount of kickbacks to key
officials in the Roh administration, which governed the country from 2003-2008.
Roh's only son, Kun-ho, and one of his in-laws, Yeon Chul-ho, are also suspected
of receiving about US$5 million from Park under the pretext of investment.
Jung Sang-Moon, a former financial secretary to Roh, was also arrested earlier
this month for allegedly receiving money from Park and embezzling presidential
funds.
Prosecutors suspect Park provided the money to Roh's family members and aide as
part of efforts to get business favors from the president. Roh claims that he did
not know about the money transfer until after he retired.
The prosecutors' office said it will announce details on the planned summons of
Roh later Sunday.
In the run-up to the summons, the office sent a written inquiry to Roh last
Wednesday, and he emailed answers Saturday.
The two sides were prudent in selecting a date for the face-to-face questioning
ahead of the April 29 by-elections, in which five National Assembly seats are up
for the grabs.
Roh will be the third South Korean president to face prosecutors' summons
following Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, both of whom were convicted of receiving
illicit political funds.
Roh, now staying in his southern hometown near Busan, plans to appear in the
headquarters of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul at 1:30 p.m. on April
30, said Moon Jae-in, former presidential chief of staff. Moon is working as
Roh's attorney in the case. Roh plans to travel to Seoul by land.
"Concrete transportation will be decided in consultations with a security team,"
Moon told Yonhap News Agency over phone.
Roh earlier admitted that his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, had taken money from Park
Yeon-cha, head of shoe manufacturer Taekwang Industry. The businessman was
arrested in December on charges of offering a huge amount of kickbacks to key
officials in the Roh administration, which governed the country from 2003-2008.
Roh's only son, Kun-ho, and one of his in-laws, Yeon Chul-ho, are also suspected
of receiving about US$5 million from Park under the pretext of investment.
Jung Sang-Moon, a former financial secretary to Roh, was also arrested earlier
this month for allegedly receiving money from Park and embezzling presidential
funds.
Prosecutors suspect Park provided the money to Roh's family members and aide as
part of efforts to get business favors from the president. Roh claims that he did
not know about the money transfer until after he retired.
The prosecutors' office said it will announce details on the planned summons of
Roh later Sunday.
In the run-up to the summons, the office sent a written inquiry to Roh last
Wednesday, and he emailed answers Saturday.
The two sides were prudent in selecting a date for the face-to-face questioning
ahead of the April 29 by-elections, in which five National Assembly seats are up
for the grabs.
