390 Million out of 1.1 Billion Won Used for Repaying Presidential Election Debts

The Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Public Prosecutor`s Office filed an arrest warrant on October 15 for Choi Do-sul, a former aide to President Roh Moo-hyun, on charges of taking 1.1 billion won from SK Group. The prosecution has been probing into SK Group’s secret fund scandal.

Choi is suspected of taking about 1.1 billion won and being asked by SK Group Chairman Son Gil-seung to help the company in the future. Choi met Son through an introduction from Roh’s high school superior known only as Yi. Choi allegedly used 390 million won in paying off debts he borrowed during the presidential election and gave the rest to Yi.

The prosecution summoned Rep. Choi Don-woong of the opposition Grand National Party to question whether he accepted 10 billion won from SK Group before the presidential election and where he used the money.

The prosecution searched the lawmaker’s houses in Seoul and in Gangneung of Ganwon Province and also Choi’s and Yi’s houses, both in Busan. The prosecution secured related documents, bankbooks and memos, and began careful scrutinizing of the data.

The prosecutor questioned Rep. Choi on whether he received 10 billion won at his house in Seoul while working as his party’s financing director for the presidential election. The prosecution also questioned Choi’s driver.

Choi, however, reportedly denied his allegations saying that he did not receive a penny from SK nor did he meet Chairman Son.

The prosecution secured a statement from an SK employee that (he) had delivered 10 billion won to Rep. Choi. The prosecution is considering sending him home and to seek an arrest warrant without the court’s consent later.

Prosecutors think the money was likely to be spent on operating the GNP or Choi’s private supporter group and will confirm the detailed use.

The prosecution will also summon Gwangju Mayor Park Gwang-tae on October 22 to question him on the allegation of taking money from Hyundai.

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