Probe Period for Samsung Scandal to Be Extended

The independent counsel investigating the slush fund scandal of the Samsung Group said yesterday that it will question for the second time Samsung Electronics Vice President Lee Hak-soo and the group’s strategy chief Kim In-joo.

A prosecutor cited “issues to confirm” but said the exact dates of the summons remain unknown.

Lee and Kim were questioned Friday on the alleged illegal transfer of management of the group and the creation of slush funds.

Also scheduled for summons are group chairman Lee Kun-hee and his wife Hong Ra-hee, who is also the director of Leeum, Samsung’s art museum in Seoul.

With the first 60-day phase of the investigation to expire Sunday next week, the probe will be extended. The independent counsel by law can lengthen the investigation 30 days and an additional 15 days later if the investigation is not complete within the initial 60 days or it is difficult to decide whether to indict the suspect.

The Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice, one of the whistleblowers in the scandal, said it will review releasing the list of people who received bribes from Samsung, though not this week. The list is alleged to include newly appointed ministers of the Lee Myung-bak administration.

dnsp@donga.com verso@donga.com