Funds Said to Have Flowed Into Accounts of Kim’s Relatives

The Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Public Prosecutors office summoned Uri Party member Kim Won-ki on Monday for suspicion of receiving illegal funds of 150 million won from Seohai Construction Co.

After obtaining evidence that some of the checks received from Seohai were in relatives’ accounts, the prosecution will also track down the receipt route during the investigation.

Also, the prosecution intends to find out whether Kim received several hundred million won from the Democratic Party and allotted them to 30 or so district parties in the Honam province during the presidential election in 2002.

The prosecution is investigating whether Kim received orders from President Roh while he was in charge of raising illegal funds for candidate Roh’s camp and whether he had personally used some of the funds. A high official of the prosecution said “nothing yet reveals that the president himself has legal responsibility for the illegal funds,” adding that they will not carry out any direct investigation of Roh.

The related official also added “it is still early to discuss whether to investigate Lee Hyoi-chang, former chairman of the Grand National Party (GNP).”

Meanwhile, the prosecution will soon decide how to deal with other members, such as GNP member Seo Chong-won, Democratic member Han Hwah-gap and Jamin Party member Lee In-jae, who are suspected of being involved in illegal fund raising activities, when the Temporary Assembly closes on Tuesday.

Wi-Yong Jung viyonz@donga.com