Tracking Lee Yong-Ho’s 500 Million Won from an Impersonate Account

The Special Prosecution (SP) is tracking Lee Yong-Ho and KBS manager Lee’s (44) accounts to clarify the origin and use of the 500 million won which Lee Yong-Ho used to approach president Kim Dae-Jung’s second son Hong-Up by making stock deals with manager Lee, who is close to the president’s son.

SP summoned the First Lady`s nephew on the 29th and is to investigate how he had Lee Ki-Ho, senior presidential secretary of the economy, and National Intelligence Service involved in the treasure excavation business, and whether he delivered the business plan to them.

SP is to issue an arrest warrant as soon as the investigation concludes.

SP has also obtained and is currently analyzing the business progress report that treasure excavator Cho handed to Lee Hyung-Taek in December, 1999.

SP is also confirming whether Lieutenant Colonel Lee, belonging to the army’s Information Command, put pressure upon private business people, or holds profit portion of the business.

On the 26th, SP summoned 4 public officials who were in charge of the excavation authorization at Mokpo Regional Maritime Affairs & Fisheries and Junam’s Jindo district office, and investigated if there were any external pressure in the authorization process.

The public officials stated, "We gave the authorization because local residents attached their agreement and did not find any sign of interference with fishery activities. There was no external pressure."

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