Shin Allegedly Talked with Byeon to Orchestrate Response to DA’s Investigation

It was confirmed yesterday that Shin Jeong-ah, 35, had talked over the phone with former presidential aide Byeon Yang-gyun right before her July 16 departure to New York. Byeon allegedly had extramarital affairs with Shin, who has aroused various allegations arising out of her relationship and forged Yale University degree.

Thus, it is being suspected that Shin and Byeon attempted to work out a joint response to the pending DA investigation.

Shin’s defense attorney Park told the press yesterday, “Yes, it is true that my client Ms. Shin talked with Mr. Byeon. But she just told him that she had to go over to the U.S. to tell the world the truth about her Yale credentials.”

According to Park, Byeon suggested that it be hard to do it alone and that Shin retain a law firm to verify it for her. Park argued, however, that the two had never talked again throughout her stay in America.

Should Byeon urge Shin to leave Korea, his act constitutes obstruction of justice, explains the prosecution. The DA’s office is now looking into their call logs.

The authorities questioned Byeon again yesterday on abuse and bribery charges.

Furthermore, the DA’s office served a subpoena on Ulju County Governor Eom Chang-seop, who is currently behind bars on a separate bribery charge. The DA’s office is investigating why and how the county government granted a $1 million subsidy to the Heungdeok Temple, which was founded by Dongguk University chancellor and Buddhist monk Yeongbae. Yeongbae tried to protect Shin from the false credentials scandal. The prosecution is also trying to find out whether Byeon wielded his power to make the temple get the subsidy.

In the meanwhile, Korea’s attorney general presided over a meeting held right after the court refused to issue a writ of habeas corpus on Shin. The prosecution reportedly decided to file a motion to get out the warrant soon after questioning Shin one more time.

gaea@donga.com needjung@donga.com