Prosecutors obtain secret lobbying record

The First Division of Special Prosecutors of the Seoul District Prosecutor¡¯s Office, currently investigating the scandal involving MCI Korea vice-president Jin Seung-Hyun, 27, have obtained a secret account book containing records of payoffs made by Shin In-Chul, 59, former president of Hans Banking (formerly Asia Banking), who is currently under arrest.

The prosecutors have started an intense manhunt for Jin as he holds the key to the resolution of the scandal case and could confirm the involvement of government officials. The prosecutors believe he is still in Seoul or its environs and have approached his lawyer and family to persuade him to turn himself in.

The prosecutors further revealed on Sunday that as soon as the Financial Supervisory Service formally brings charges against Jin, they will start the investigation of Yeollin Mutual Savings and Finance Company¡¯s 37.7 billion won in illegal loans to him.

Lee Soo-Hyung sooh@donga.com