Real Estate Executive Paid Min Fund Related Visits to Roh Keon-pyeong

The Special Investigation Division of the Seoul High Public Prosecutors’ Office is investigating a case in which Bahng, director of C Real Estate Service, met with Keon-pyeong, a brother of President Roh, several times relating to the Min Fund scandal according to an unrevealed source.

The prosecution is examining the concrete details of the case and presuming that Bahng had visited Keon-pyeong, Min’s brother-in-law, seeking help when the investigation shifted its focus onto him related to the Min Fund scandal.

It was known that Bahng had said at his warrant arraignment, “I visited Kyeon-pyeon’s four times since January after ‘Min’s 65 Billion Won Collection’ was covered by Sisa Journal and insisting that a person who stirred up the problem should resolve it.”

It was also known that he had said, “I have a lot to say about the Min Fund, but most of it is without any tangible support.”

He was under the prosecution’s investigation after financial transactions between Min and his company were revealed.

He was arrested with a warrant the same day for the charge that he received 120 million won from Kim, president of D Machinery, who said that he would mediate a bank loan for him.

The prosecution is also investigating whether he is involved in the illicit-fundraising of 5 billion won in the sale of the Dongdaemoon commercial complex.

Jin-Young Hwang buddy@donga.com