Prosecution Looks into Bank Records of President Roh’s Advisors

The prosecution announced yesterday that it would obtain a search warrant to look into the bank records of Ahn Hee-jung and Yum Dong-yon, the two advisors of President Roh. They are suspected of having received bribes from former Bosung Group chairman Kim Ho-joon in return for pulling strings to prevent Nara Bank from filing for bankruptcy.

A prosecutor familiar with the case explained that "the money Ahn and Yum received came from chairman Kim`s personal account. Kim`s personal CFO Choi recorded the money given to Ahn on the books in code," indicating that it is unavoidable for the two to prevent the recent move by the DA`s office.

In the future, through the investigation of bank records, the prosecution plans to concentrate on verification of Ahn`s allegations that he used the money for investment in a mineral water company.

The investigative body will also examine how and why Yum received 50 million won from Kim in September of 1999.

It was found that former chairman Kim gave 2.5 billion won, from August of 1999 to April of 2000, to former Nara president Ahn Sang-tae in the name of bonuses and cost compensation. The prosecution will explore whether this money was used for illegal lobbying purposes.

Ahn is currently in the hospital on bail granted during his trial in September of last year. The DA`s office is considering whether it is necessary to dispatch some prosecutors to the hospital to question him.

Wi-Yong Jung viyonz@donga.com