Prosecution Is Tracking the Flow of Yoon Tae-Shik`s 2 Billion Won Embezzlement into Political Circle

The third special division (chief prosecutor Cha Dong-Min) of the Seoul District Prosecution obtained the list of shareholders of `Pass 21` in which Yoon Tae-Shik is the major shareholder, and is investigating whether participants whose names have not been revealed to the public in the `capital increase with consideration` are connected to the political circle. The prosecution is investigating the stock lobby in the political circle by Yoon Tae-Shik, a key figure in the `Suzy Kim`s murder and cover-up case`.

The prosecution received testimony from Yoon that he "knows ten former and current lawmakers well." The prosecution is investigating whether Yoon sold stocks in low price during the `capital increase with consideration`, or gave them embezzled funds amounting to 2 billion won.

An official of the Seoul District Prosecution said, "The prosecution confiscated the company`s account books early this month, and banned 10 shareholders and executive officials from leaving the country." "The prosecution is verifying whether the company created the secret funds by tracking Yoon`s account as well as company`s account." said this official.

The prosecution decided to summon the former lawmaker and auditor Kim Hyun-Kyoo, who invited 10 politicians into the explanatory meeting of the company in 1999, as a witness.

Mr. Kim said, "I happened to have 10 percent of the shares. But, I do not have a deep relation with the company as I go to the office only once or twice a week. I am being misunderstood."

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com