Request for Pre-Arrest Warrant for Five People Concerning Tax Evasion

Seoul District Prosecutor`s office led by chief prosecutor Kim Dae-Wong requested pre-arrest warrants for the five people on the 16th, who are related to the tax evasion by media companies. The list is as follows, Kim Byung- Kwan (former honorary chairman of Dong-a Ilbo), Kim Byung –Kun (former vice president of Dong-a Ilbo), Bang Sang-Hoon (president of Chosun Ilbo), Joo Hee-Joon (former president of Kookmin Ilbo), and Lee Tae-Soo (former representative of DaeHan Mail)

Seoul District Court will decide whether they will be arrested or not after the investigation held on 10 a.m. on the 17th for Kim brothers and 2p.m. on the same day for Mr. Cho and Mr. Lee.

The court issued a summons for the five people that will force them to come to the court.

Prosecutor`s office charged Mr. Kim, Mr. Bang, and Mr. Cho with tax evasion according to the law of the surcharge punishment of a specified crime and the violation of tax law. The rest two of them are charged with tax evasion and the violation of tax law. But prosecutor`s office and the court did not disclose the content of the arrest warrant.

In response to reporters` question as to why those people should be arrested despite that they have reliable identity, prosecutor`s office official said, `` They might run away since they are expected to have heavy punishments, also they can destroy evidence because most of referential witness are officials of their companies.``

Seoul District Prosecutor`s office requested the arrest warrant at 11:30 am on the 16th with Shin Sung-Nam general head of prosecutor`s approval, which was done at 10.a.m.

Seoul District court distributed the case of Dong-a Ilbo and Kookmin Ilbo to Han Joo-Han judge and the case of Chosun Ilbo and Daehan Mail to Lee Jae-Hoo Judge.

Shin Suk-Ho kyle@donga.com