No Indictment if There is No Evidence of Direct Involvement in Slush Fund Scandal

The Central Investigation Department (Chief Inspector Ahn Dae-hee) of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, which is looking into the illegal campaigning funds, decided not to indict some conglomerate heads with no evidence of direct participation in the money exchange.

Chief Inspector Ahn told reporters, “Investigators’ opinions are being gathered on the degree and standard of charges against business leaders who allegedly played a part in the presidential campaign fund scandal. However, if there is no definitive evidence of actual participation, we will put off placing charges and not indict them.”

Therefore, the prosecution is planning to work on the list of businessmen to be prosecuted and begin placing charges on them as early as this weekend.

LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo and Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo are known to be among those who will not be prosecuted.

The prosecution is also considering summary indictment regarding business leaders who only played a small part in the illegal activities.

Furthermore, the prosecution announced that measures were being considered for Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon, who recently expressed his willingness to come back to Korea, but is putting off his return due to health reasons.

Chief Inspector Ahn explained, “Chairman Kim sent his diagnosis documents from the U.S. We expect he will voluntarily return to Korea, but if not, we will take necessary actions.”

Meanwhile, at the public trial of lawyer Seo Jeong-woo held this day at the Seoul Central District Court, the prosecution claimed, “There are additional charges to be placed on the defendant regarding the alleged slush funds he received from corporations such as Samsung,” and requested that the next trial take place three weeks hence.

jin0619@donga.com