Kim Hong-Up and Hong-Gul to Be Summoned Next Week

It looks like that both second son Hong-Up and third son Hong-Gul of President Kim Dae-Jung will be summoned to the prosecution next week.

The prosecution disclosed on May 8 Hong-Gul will be summoned next week since the claim of CEO of Future City Environment Choi Kyu-Sun that he delivered 300 million Won to Hong-Gul is confirmed as a fact. Hong-Up also will be summoned next week in connection to `Lee Yong-Ho Gate.`

Additionally, the prosecution also disclosed that it secured testimonies of related persons, which support the argument of Rep. Sul Hoon of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) who said Mr. Choi delivered money to former president of the Grand National Party (GNP) Lee Hoi-Chang through GNP Rep. Yoon Yoi-Joon.

300 million Won delivered to Hong-Gul: The prosecution ascertained, through account trace and other means, that 300 million Won deposited in March last year in Choi`s account has been withdrawn with three hundred bank notes of one million denominations to deliver to Hong-Gul.

According to the prosecution, the 300 million Won was the sales amount of Tiger Pools International (TPI) stocks of 12 thousand shares, to D company, a concrete and machinery manufacturer. The prosecution is investigating in what pretext Mr. Choi transferred the money to Hong-Gul.

The prosecution is paying attention to the facts that the timing of the delivery was immediately after the selection of TPI as the sports lottery operator and that the source of the money was the sales amount of TPI stocks.

However, the prosecution said the money was not related with the specific crime, and any evidence thereof has yet to be come.

Allegation of money deals with former GNP president Lee Hoi-Chang; The prosecution secured statements of CEO of TPI Song Jae-Bin and a Hong-Gul`s brother-in-law Hwang In-Don that support the alleged money taking of former GNP president Lee.

Mr. Song quoted as saying in the prosecution, `Mr. Choi said in late March that he insured in the GNP.` Mr. Song also stated, `Later I heard former Seoul deputy mayor for political affairs Kim Hee-Wan saying Mr. Choi helped former GNP president Lee to visit the U.S. and delivered 200 thousand US dollars to Lee through GNP Rep. Yoon Yoi-Joon.` Additionally, Mr. Hwang testified in the prosecution, `I heard in late February Choi saying he corresponded by e-mails with a son of former GNP president Lee named Chung-Yeon and soon likely to be appointed as an international special adviser.`

In contrast, Mr. Choi quoted as saying in the prosecution, `I involved in the itinerary scheduling of former GNP president Lee`s visit to the U.S., but I did not give money to Lee.`

The prosecution has a plan to summon Rep. Yoon and others soon to inquire about the alleged money dealing.

Myoung-Gun Lee gun43@donga.com · myzodan@donga.com