Han in Danger of Criminal Punishment

Superintendent public prosecutor Chae Dong-ook of the District Public Prosecutor’s Office (DPPO) summoned and questioned Han Wha-gap, a member of the Millennium Democratic Party, on the charge of receiving a massive illegal fund from High-tech Housing, the construction company for Yeouido’s super high apartment Daewoo Trump World, and another firm.

Shin Sang-gu from the DPPO announced that they were questioning Han as a suspect for receiving illicit money.

The prosecution, describing Han as a “suspect,” indicated that there is a high possibility of Han receiving criminal punishment.

Han is suspected of accepting 600 million won from High-tech Housing supervisor Park Moon-soo through MDP’s presidential election camp’s staff just before the election in April 2002 without a receipt. The prosecution is investigating whether Han aided High-tech Housing’s actual owner Park while purchasing the site of Trump World from Coal Cooperation and Kookmin Bank for a cheaper price than the market value. They also found out that Han received a large amount of money from another company and is questioning the reason behind this. A person connected with the prosecution said, “Han accepts some of his charges and denies others.” Han voluntarily went with an attorney to the DPPO at 10:25 a.m. and returned home around midnight after being interviewed. The prosecution resummoned Kim Won-gil, a Grand National Party member who was questioned the day before about Han receiving illicit money, and interviewed him until late in the evening.

Jin-Young Hwang buddy@donga.com