Former Presidential Secretary Questioned for Taking Kickbacks

The Busan District Prosecutors` Office, which has been investigating an influence peddling scandal involving contractor Kim Sang-jin, 42, summoned former presidential protocol secretary Jeong Yun-jae as a suspect on allegations of receiving tens of millions of won from Kim Tuesday.

The prosecution focused their investigation on Jeong’s receiving of bribes from Kim in July and August of 2006 in return for introducing him to Jeong Sang-gon, then commissioner of the Busan Regional Tax Office, to help him avoid a tax audit.

Prosecutor Jeong Dong-min of the Busan District Prosecutors` Office, who is heading the probe, said at a press conference, “We have confirmed when the money was handed over.”

Prosecutors who are interrogating former presidential secretary Jeong with evidence that supports their allegations and Kim’s testimony have been verifying the exact amount of the kickbacks.

verso@donga.com