Draft scam-connected politicians to be probed

The prosecution disclosed Thursday that it would conduct a joint investigation with the military into politicians and others who are suspected of having been involved with military draft scandals, regardless of the statute of limitations for arraignment.

The law enforcement authorities noted that they were not legally authorized to indict those politicians or privileged people if they had not offered bribes or where the statute of limitations (five years) had expired, but this was necessary in order to verify the suspicions of Park Noh-Hang, a key suspect in the corruption scandal, and to conscript draft dodgers for military service.

The investigation this time will be conducted as previously by the joint prosecution-military team, the prosecution said, adding that one or two more prosecutors would be added to the team for the joint probe.

Lee Soo-Hyung sooh@donga.com