ID :
95693
Fri, 12/18/2009 - 20:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/95693
The shortlink copeid
Former PM Han arrested on suspicion of bribery
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details and reactions from 5 para)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who is
suspected of receiving a large sum of money from a corrupt business executive,
was arrested on Friday, prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'
Office said.
The arrest came as Han repeatedly refused to appear before prosecutors to face
questioning over allegations that she received US$50,000 from Kwak Young-wook, a
former CEO of Korea Express, while serving as prime minister in 2007.
The 65-year-old Han, who served as prime minister under the Roh Moo-hyun
administration from April 2006 to March 2007, is now a senior adviser to the main
opposition Democratic Party.
Prosecutors said Han was arrested at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation building in
western Seoul, shortly after noon.
Han has defied prosecutors' summons, arguing the investigation is politically
motivated and illegal. The allegation, first reported by a local newspaper last
week, accuses Han of helping Kwak move to the top post of a state-owned
corporation in 2007 in return for the money. Kwak is now under arrest on
embezzlement charges.
The unprecedented arrest of the former prime minister enraged the liberal
opposition party and Han's supporters.
"The prosecution's arrest of the former prime minister is a political ploy to
attain its purposes by humiliating her," DP spokesman Woo Sang-ho said in a
statement.
Lee Hae-chan, another former prime minister and close aide to the deceased Roh,
also criticized prosecutors for the arrest. "Only seven months after former
President Roh died, prosecutors have resumed their political maneuvering."
Roh, who became embroiled in a bribery scandal, committed suicide at the height
of a prosecutor-led investigation in May. His death prompted strong public
criticism over the investigation practices employed by the prosecutor's office.
The ruling Grand National Party had urged Han to come forward to clear herself of
the charges.
No details have been released, but political watchers speculate that prosecutors
may indict Han without physical detention before attempting to prove her guilt in
court.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who is
suspected of receiving a large sum of money from a corrupt business executive,
was arrested on Friday, prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'
Office said.
The arrest came as Han repeatedly refused to appear before prosecutors to face
questioning over allegations that she received US$50,000 from Kwak Young-wook, a
former CEO of Korea Express, while serving as prime minister in 2007.
The 65-year-old Han, who served as prime minister under the Roh Moo-hyun
administration from April 2006 to March 2007, is now a senior adviser to the main
opposition Democratic Party.
Prosecutors said Han was arrested at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation building in
western Seoul, shortly after noon.
Han has defied prosecutors' summons, arguing the investigation is politically
motivated and illegal. The allegation, first reported by a local newspaper last
week, accuses Han of helping Kwak move to the top post of a state-owned
corporation in 2007 in return for the money. Kwak is now under arrest on
embezzlement charges.
The unprecedented arrest of the former prime minister enraged the liberal
opposition party and Han's supporters.
"The prosecution's arrest of the former prime minister is a political ploy to
attain its purposes by humiliating her," DP spokesman Woo Sang-ho said in a
statement.
Lee Hae-chan, another former prime minister and close aide to the deceased Roh,
also criticized prosecutors for the arrest. "Only seven months after former
President Roh died, prosecutors have resumed their political maneuvering."
Roh, who became embroiled in a bribery scandal, committed suicide at the height
of a prosecutor-led investigation in May. His death prompted strong public
criticism over the investigation practices employed by the prosecutor's office.
The ruling Grand National Party had urged Han to come forward to clear herself of
the charges.
No details have been released, but political watchers speculate that prosecutors
may indict Han without physical detention before attempting to prove her guilt in
court.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
