“Kim Eun-Sung Is Suspected of Obstructing Prosecutors` Investigation“

The Seoul District Prosecution is investigating into a suspicion that the money of Jin Seung-Hyun, the owner of MCI Korea, had flown into the accounts related to Kim Eun-Sung.

The Prosecution is also planning to grill former Vice Minister Shin Kwnag-Okon 18th or 19th whether he received 10 – 20 million won of the lobbyist funds from Choi Taek-Kwon.

A high ranking official of the Seoul District Prosecution said yesterday that, "As a result of the account track of the Mr. Kim and Mr. Jin, some suspicions were revealed around Chung Sung-Hong, former economic director of the National Intelligence Service who was indicted for the charge of taking 146 million won of the lobbyist funds."

The official also said, "On completing the investigation on the former Vice Minister Shin, Mr. Kim will be summoned." hinting the completion of the investigation on the suspicions on Mr. Kim.

The official also explained the reason why he revealed the date of Mr. Kim summon, saying that "Mr. Kim is obstructing the investigation during the re-examination of the case by spreading various rumors to the press."

The Prosecution is planning to question Mr. Kim how he received the money, whether he disturbed the investigation by creating a list of the ruling party`s leaders, omitting the names of the core wirepullers, whether he gave 10 million won to his subordinate and ordered him to check the investigation process.

The Prosecution obtained a testimony of Mr. Choi that he gave 10- 20 million won by 2-3 million won at a time. However, the Prosecution delayed the summon of Mr. Shin because the testimony of Mr. Choi was not clear. A high ranking official of the Seoul Prosecution said, "[how much Mr. Shin received money] cannot be assessed in hurry. The testimony of Mr. Choi, who is known as a bribe-giver, is unstable."

However, the official alluded that, once Mr. Shin is summoned, he will be prosecuted for a criminal charge, saying that "[the Prosecution] will not summon him simply to hear the explanation."

Meanwhile, another source from the prosecution office said, "The investigation team is contemplating whether it constitutes a indictment since Vice Minister Shin received relatively small amount of money paid several times even though it did mounted up 10-20 million won."

Wi-Yong Jung viyonz@donga.com