Big-Five CEOs to Be Summoned Before Lunar New Year Holiday

The Central Investigation Agency of the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office led by Public Prosecutor Ahn Dae-hee plans to complete questioning all the executive officers of the big-five corporations as well as their chief reorganization officers including Lee Hak-soo, chief reorganization officer of Samsung, before January 21 when the lunar New Year holiday starts.

The prosecutor General Song Kwang-soo said in a press conference held on January 2, “A prolonged investigation process might affect the economy in a negative way,” and added, “We will finish up the corporate investigation as soon as possible.” Accordingly, the prosecution will summon and investigate Sohn Kil-seung, president of SK Group, and Choi Tae-won, president of SK Corporation, next week and proceed with criminal prosecution. It plans to summon CEOs and presidents of Samsung, LG, Hyundai Motors, Lotte and other companies beginning January 12.

Additionally, the prosecution will proceed with the investigation of big-ten companies including Hanjin, Hanhwa, Doosan, Kumho and others and their CEOs and presidents until late January.

However, the prosecution said that they would investigate the matter without a timeline if the companies do not cooperate with the investigation.

If Rep. Kim Young-il of the Grand National Party (GNP) appears on January 5, the prosecution plans to investigate whether or not he had ordered Rep. Choi Don-woong and others at the GNP to collect campaign funds for the presidential election and whether or not he had been received reports of the funds from Lee Jae-hyun, former chief of finances at the GNP.

Meanwhile, the prosecution is considering re-requesting for preliminary warrants of seven representatives who are considered to be gravely crucial in the investigation, including Rep. Choi Don-woong whose consent bill for his warrant issuing was declined at the National Assembly. They are also considering emergency arrests of some representatives while the temporary sessions of the Assembly are recessing.

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