Grilling on the Connection of Ruling Leaders to the Treasure Excavation

Mr. Lee Hyung-Taek, former executive of the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation, was summoned by the Special Prosecution team (SP) for interrogation on the circumstances surrounding his leading the treasure excavation project under the auspices of the government authorities.

SP grilled whether Mr. Lee H.T. had benefited from support of other high ranking officials of the Cheong Wa Dae in addition to then senior secretary Lee Ki-Ho when he was working on the project by mobilizing the national organizations including Cheong Wa Dae, National Intelligence Service, and ROK Navy.

SP also investigated whether Mr. Lee received a bribe from Lee Yong-Ho for lobbyist activities through national organizations.

Previously, SP traced the accounts of Lee Hyung-Taek and searched his house in Gugi-Dong to find out the transaction records of Mr. Lee with Lee Y.H. and the usages of the money that he had received.

In connection, SP is reported as chasing individuals who managed Mr. Lee`s accounts through Hur Ok-Seok (imprisoned), a co-worker of Lee Hyung-Taek in Donghwa Bank.

SP collected some environmental evidences that Mr. Choi lobbied through the government and the political circles and is urging Mr. Choi, father-in-law of Mr. Lee H.T. who is suspected to have conspired to manipulate the stock market with Mr. Lee Y.H., to return to the country for further investigation.

SP will request the arrest warrant for Lee Hyung-Taek immediately after the allegations that he received rewards for the treasure excavation projects or exerted influence on the stock market manipulation of SamaeIndus owned by Lee Yong-Ho are proved true.

On the 30th SP will also summon former Kwangju High Prosecution`s Deputy Prosecutor General Lim Yang-Woon, who was the third deputy director of Seoul District Prosecution when the case of Lee Hyung-Taek was investigated in 2000.

viyonz@donga.com