Former Minister Park Said to Have Received 15 Billion Bribe for N. Korea Monopoly

The Grand National Party demanded yesterday that a thorough investigation be conducted on former Culture and Tourism Minister Park Ji-won, a powerful associate of Kim Dae Jung, the former President of Korea. Former Hyundai Securities chairman Lee Ik-chi stated before the Independent Counsel that Park received 15 billion won from Hyundai at around the time of the general election in April of 2000.

The party`s spokesperson Park Chong-hee commented that "Lee gave the money to Park, the most powerful figure in the Kim administration and it is highly probable that the bribe was then sent to Millennium Democrats for their election campaign. This is why we have to launch a thorough probe into the scandal."

Pointing to President Roh`s confession that "During the last election campaign, I spent all the money I could have spent in my entire life," the spokesperson said. "Where did Roh get or make the money? Was the money made this way? Is that is why Roh and the Democrats want to put things under the rug and wrap up the the Independent Counsel`s investigation?"

"We know nothing about the truthfulness of the scandal," said Millennium Democratic floor whip Chung Gyun-hwan. "Maybe the Grand National Party is trying to extend the investigation but we really have nothing to comment."

Then floor whip Kim Ok-doo also denied the charges, and was quoted as saying that it "simply was an allegation."

Sung-Won Park Yeon-Wook Jung swpark@donga.com jyw11@donga.com