Kwon Roh-kap Received Billions of Money from Other Companies

The Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Public Prosecutor`s Office, which is investigating Hyundai Asan`s alleged secret money, announced on August 31 that they have secured evidence of former Millennium Democratic Party advisor Kwon Roh-kap receiving extra billions of money from somewhere other than the 20 billion won from Hyundai, at the time of 2000 general elections.

Moon Hyo-nam, investigation director of the Supreme Prosecutor`s Office, said that, “while tracking down related people`s testimonies and the money`s routes, we captured initial evidence of Kwon`s receiving additional money,” but added that, ”it is not yet time to announce the origin nor the nominal amount of the fund.”

Meanwhile, the prosecution found out that part of Kwon`s extra money flew into the pockets of a few politicians that were involved in the 2000 general elections, and is said to be planning to summon related politicians within this week to investigate.

In particular, it is said that the prosecution has captured evidence of Kwon’s extra secret money being connected to the secret money that was formed by the 210 billion won worth of fraudulent accounting of SK Shipping Co., LTD, and is currently under investigation.

Previously, Securities and Futures Commission has sued SK Shipping on July 20, that the company secured money by issuing 210 billion won worth of commercial paper, under the pretext of settling derivative products and assisting related companies, and created a secret fund by not accounting it.

Also, prosecutors revealed that Kim Young-wan, who managed Kwon`s secret fund, recently submitted second testimony and documentary evidence saying that he “delivered 15 billion won of Hyundai’s 20 billion won worth secret money to Kwon before the general elections over numerous attempts, and is currently keeping the other 5 billion won,” through his lawyer.

Kwon is completely denying receiving any money, claiming that he “borrowed 10 billion won worth of cash from 5 or 6 close associates and 1 billion from Kim Young-wan, and provided it to Kim Ok-doo, then Chief Officer of Millennium Democratic party.” However, the prosecution explained that since Kwon`s words differ too much from Kim`s and other people’s words, they carry no credibility.

During an investigation over the telephone by the prosecution, Kim said that, “Kwon borrowed 11 billion won from three people of whom the names cannot be revealed, and 5 billion won was paid back,” continuing that he does not “remember whether Kwon registered the fact to the National Election Commission.” Furthermore, Kim Young-wan made a documentary testimony that he “never lent 1 billion won to Kwon.”

The prosecution is also investigation on whether this 11 billion won has any relevance to the extra money that Kwon received.

A while ago, prosecutors arrested and prosecuted Kwon Roh-kap on July 30, for the charge of receiving 20 billion won from Hyundai, through Kim Young-wan, for granting Hyundai the license to operate a Casino at Mount Geumgang.

Meanwhile, the prosecution is planning to prosecute Park Ji-won, former Culture and Tourism Minister, who allegedly received over 15 billion won from Hyundai, after this week’s supplementary investigation.

Sang-Rok Lee Jin-Young Hwang myzodan@donga.com buddy@donga.com