The Key Issue: Whether or Not Sun & Moon Group’s 100 Million Won Went to Roh’s Camp

The investigation on Sun & Moon Group is facing new allegations as evidence has been obtained on the company’s president, Mun eyung-uk, handing over illegal campaign funds to Lee Kwang-jae, former state affairs chief officer for Chong Wa Dae, and a prominent figure, “S” from the Grand National Party.

The prosecution is planning to investigate this in order to uncover all rumors and suspicions surrounding Sun & Moon Group’s illegal campaign fund activities, including “providing 9.5 billion won to candidate Roh’s camp.”

Although former chief Lee and “S” are currently denying the suspicions of providing illegal funds, it is said that the prosecution has obtained relevant evidence from witnesses while tracing the group’s checking statements. Thus, it is unlikely that the investigation will cease without further development.

An officer of the prosecution who confirmed summoning former chief Lee on Sunday regarding assemblyman “S” said, “Although an investigation is unavoidable, it depends on the results of the investigation on Hong, the president of a pharmaceutical company, who is suspected of handing over the money.”

Since former chief Lee and assemblyman “S” played important roles in candidate Roh’s camp and the Grand National Party, the prosecution expects to obtain an outline of Sun & Moon Group’s involvement in providing illegal campaign funds once it is able to confirm that Lee and “S” did indeed distribute illegal election funds.

If the suspicions on these two turn out to be true, it is highly likely to bring mass confusion to the political circles.

Especially if former chief Lee’s involvement in the illegal funds turns out to be true, the actual consequences cannot be certain, as it will probably affect president Roh as well.

The prosecution is carrying out careful investigations on Lee and “S,” as if it is extremely conscious of such consequences.

An example is the case of Lee, who is under suspicion of handing over 100 million won to Roh’s camp upon initially receiving the money. Although the prosecution is focusing its investigation on such possibilities, it is not ruling out a case of “accidental delivery.”

The investigation on “S” might face difficulties as Hong, the person known to be the delivery man, is not only strongly denying the money delivery but also receiving the money from Moon’s side.

The investigation results on “S” is noteworthy as the prosecution is investigating whether or not “S” personally used the money and if he handed it over to the central party.

Although the prosecution is attempting to finalize its policies on issues such as punishing Lee and “S” sometime this week, the plans are subject to change as the related members are strongly denying the charges.

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com