Shin Jeong-ah Investigation Gains Momentum

The special investigation team of the Western Branch of the Seoul District Public Prosecutors’ Office, which is investigating the Shin Jeong-ah case, summoned Byeon Yang-kyun, 58, former chief of the Presidential Policy Office, and Shin Jeong-ah, the disgraced former art professor who just came back yesterday after fleeing overseas, to its offices yesterday.

Meanwhile, to reinforce its investigation capacity before Shin’s arrival, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (SPO) dispatched its central investigation team to the western branch and formed a special investigation team. As the SPO leads this case, the investigation is expected to gain further momentum.

Byeon presented himself to the prosecutor’s office for questioning yesterday, six days after his resignation was accepted.

Based on the testimony of a Dongguk University faculty member saying that, “I have heard that if Shin is appointed as professor, the school’s financial condition will be improved,” the prosecution are questioning Byeon to reveal whether he exerted influence to help Shin’s appointment.

Professor Oh from Dongguk University also said during questioning that, “Hong, the former president of the university, said if we have Shin as professor, the school could obtain a 20 billion project,” were spreading at that time.”

The prosecution said that if it is confirmed Byeon exerted influence to help Shin’s appointment as art director of the Gwangju Biennale and as professor of Dongguk University during his tenure as minister of the Ministry of Planning and Budget and as chief of the Presidential Policy Office, Byeon will be arrested on charges of power abuse.

The prosecution is also investigating whether there was external pressure that pushed the owners of large enterprises into patronizing exhibitions that were organized by Shin when she was working as curator in Sungkok Art Museum.

Prosecutors also checked Byeon’s computers that he had used at Cheong Wa Dae to find any files or e-mails that he exchanged with Shin.

Gu Bon-min, prosecutor of the Western Branch of the Seoul District Public Prosecutors’ Office, said that, “Even though we call Byeon as a suspect, his status can be changeable depending if we confirm the charges.”

Meanwhile, Shin arrived at Incheon International Airport at 5:00 p.m. yesterday through JAL 953 flight that left Narita International Airport at 2:40 p.m. Shin who fled two months ago to New York, finally came back.

Upon arrival, Shin was arrested by police and moved to the prosecutors` office. Shin just said to reporters that, “I apologize for causing such trouble.”

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