Prosecutors Ignored Kim`s Statements

The prosecution secured a statement of former Bosung Group Chairman Kim Ho-jung that he had gave money to Ahn Hee-jung, Vice President of Democratic Party’s National Strategy Research Institute during last year`s investigation on Nara Bank only to ignore the statement.

Prosecutor Min Yu-tae who was in charge of the preliminary investigation of this case said today, “Former Chairman Kim said he had given 200 million won to Mr. Ahn due to his brother’s request. I asked him if it made sense and he said he wanted his comments to be ignored.”

Prosecutor Min also said, “Chairman Kim did not state about his providing money to Mr. Ahn and Yeom Dong-yeon, Democratic Party’s Personnel Manager. Chair Kim also said he considered lobbying in 1999 but gave it up at that time.”

Mr. Kim, CFO of L company in Bosung Group, said last June, “I delivered 200 million won in paper bag as ordered by Chairman Kim in June, 1999.” However, the delivery time was July, 1999 according to the accounting book of Chairman Kim.

The Prosecution added that Mr. Ahn argued that he had received the money in the parking lot of Hotel Cupimo, but that Mr. Choi insisted that it was basement parking lot of N hotel.

The Prosecution also summoned two managers of the Financial Supervisory Service who were in charge of merchant banks at the time of money delivery. Prosecutors are considering investigating Ahn Sang-tae, former Nara Bank president who was arrested in charges with illegal lending but released due to his declining health.

Sang-Rok Lee myzodan@donga.com