``Gave 50 Million Won to Rep. Kim Bang-Rim and 40 Million to Director of NIS``

In the process of investigation on the `Jin Seung-Hyun Gate` the Public Prosecutor`s Office did not investigate the testimonies of Kim Jae-Whan (56), former president of MCI, which state that he had given 50 million won to Rep. Kim Bang-Rim of the New Millennium Democratic Party.

In addition, the former president Mr. Kim testified that he gave 40 million won of 1.25 billion won, which he had received for the rescuing Mr. Jin, to Chung Sung-Hong, a subordinate of Kim Hyung-Yun, head of the economic team in the National Intelligence Service. But the NIS did not perform a thorough investigation on the testimony, which raises suspicions that they may tried to cover up a mishandled case.

The Prosecutor`s Office, therefore, decide to re-examine the `Jin Seung-Hyun Gate.`

The Prosecutor’s Office disclosed that, ``because Mr. Jin denied that he did not let Mr. Kim give money to Rep. Kim while Mr. Kim said he gave money to Rep. Kim in cash, it was difficult to verify the fact. So, we did not examine Rep. Kim.``

The Public Prosecution did not investigate the testimony of the former president Kim which states that he had given 40 million won to economy director Chung. Since 40 million won was a part of 1.25 billion won for the rescue of Mr. Jin, it is highly suspected that the money was given as reward for the lobby for Mr. Jin.

Lee Seung-Gu, then head of Special Investigation Team 1, said ``the Prosecution acknowledged the fact that economy director Kim borrowed 40 million won from former president Kim and did not pay back the money at that time. However, president Kim asserted that Mr. Jin used the money without his permission. So, Prosecutor`s Office recently added the charge of misappropriation to the crimes of Mr. Kim.``

The Public Prosecution also revealed that Lee Kyung-Ja, vice president of Dongbang Savings, met with Cho Jeong-Hee, assistant aide of Rep. Lee Hoon-Pyong (NMDP), in September last year to inquire about the inspection situation of the Financial Supervisory Service.

The Prosecutor`s Office summoned Cho to investigate lobbies of vice president Lee right after her arrest but did not find any incriminating evidence.

Cho explained yesterday that ``I met vice president Lee once in September last year by Mr. Chang`s introduction, CEO of a construction company, and she asked me information about the investigation situation of the Financial Supervisory Service. So I inquired of FSS, who responded that `[the company] is involved in receiving illegal loans of over 10 billion won` And I have not met her since then.``

While investigating the `Chung Hyun-Jun Gate`, `Jin Seung-Hyun Gate` and `Lee Yong-Ho Gate` the Public Prosecution will not be able to escape from criticism that it did not carry out its investigation related to the agents of NIS properly.

Meanwhile, Park Sang-Gil, assistant prosecutor general, revealed at the new briefing, ``the Public Prosecution will re-examine the suspicions raised by the press. However, it will not be an overall re-investigation.``

However, the Prosecution decided not to investigate questions related to 10 million won that Kim Eun-Seung, who was displaced yesterday, is suspected to have received from vice president Lee.

Park Sang-Gil, assistant prosecutor general, remarked that ``even though assistant prosecutor general Kim was displaced, the Prosecution concluded the case because it will not make a big difference. It is very difficult to verify that the money was a reward and the testimonies of person involved are all different.``

Myoung-Gun Lee viyonz@donga.com