Investigation on Lobbies through Government Organizations by Lee Hyung-Taek

The Special Prosecutor Cha Jeong-Il summoned yesterday Kim Eun-Sung, former second deputy chief of the National Intelligence Service, regarding soliciting Lee Hyung-Taek through NIS for the treasure ship excavation project.

The Special Prosecution (SP) questioned whether Mr. Lee requested to review the payability of the project to then second deputy chief Um Ik-Joon in December 1999 and whether the treasure ship excavation project was carried out under the request of Mr. Lee in January 2000.

SP also investigated whether former deputy chief Kim took over the duty of Kim Hyung-Yoon, then economic director, to support the treasure excavation project.

SP will summon Mr. Lee Hyung-Taek soon to investigate his request for the support of facility and manpower to the Korean Navy in January 2000 and whether Mr. Lee demanded support from government organizations.

SP also decided to summon involved persons in Hanvit Bank and the Korea Development Bank to investigate whether Mr. Lee illegally requested for the extension of the maturity of corporate bonds issued by Shinhwa Construction, which was a partner of the treasure ship excavation project, valued around 22 billion won.

SP is also investigating whether he received bribes for his exercise of influence on the Financial Supervisory Commission and for helping stock market manipulation by SameIndus, an affiliated company of Lee Yong-Ho.

SP also investigated Lee Deok-Shin, former Gunsan District Prosecutor General, who had directed the investigation on the Lee Yong-Ho Gate in May 2000, on why he released Mr. Lee only a day after Mr. Lee was arrested.

SP grilled Lee Deok-Shin on why he had met with Shin Seung-Hwan on May 3rd last year and whether he received bribes from Mr. Shin in connection to the Lee Yong-Ho Gate.

SP will also summon former Kwangju High Prosecutor General Im Yang-Woon and former Pusan High Prosecutor General Im Hui-Yoon to question whether they illegally exerted their influence on the process of the Lee case.

Wi-Yong Jung viyonz@donga.com · myzodan@donga.com