Prosecutors Look into SK Secret Reserves

The central department of investigation, the Supreme Prosecutors Office(Ahn Dae-hee, Chief), which is looking into ‘SK Secret Reserve’ case, pointed out on October 10 the evidence that Choi Do-sul, the former Cheong Wa Dae secretary, had dealt monetarily with two to three companies in Busan.

When Choi shows up for questioning on October 14, the prosecutors will determine whether he received SK secret reserves, $833,000 worth as bribes. If so, they will reprimand Choi accordingly.

The prosecutors focused on the clue, in which Choi divided the money up into several accounts, and the conditions of him cutting a deal with two to three companies in Busan, tracking down Choi’s own account and his family members’ accounts.

The prosecutors also made it clear that SK Group had bribed Choi Don-woong, the congressman of GNP (Grand National Party), with $8.3 million, and they are actively investigating where he had spent it.

Also, Son Gil-seung, the chairman of SK Group, and the employees in charge of financial part, had already set forth their handing over $8.3 million dollars in cash to Congressman Choi.

Since the fact that Choi did not process all of this money legally into his account has been unveiled, the prosecutors are using this for their case. It is also revealed that Choi made use of $833,000 of the bribe to manage his own private cliques and individual objectives.

If Congressman Choi, who is supposed to appear on October 15, continues to reject his appearance for interrogation, the prosecutors will weigh a decision whether to issue a prior warrant of arrest.

“On December 6, 2002, I received $1.2 million in the name of SK Group’s 10 branch companies. On December 17 in the same month, I received another $833,000 in the name of the SK’s employees. The total amount I received is about $2 million,” revealed Lee Sang-su, the congressman of the newly unified party, further adding, “This money was not been taken in individually, but the election committee took possession of it. All the money has gone through audit process, so it doesn’t matter.”

Wi-Yong Jung Jin-Kyun Kil viyonz@donga.com leon@donga.com