Independent Probe into Samsung to Start

The independent counsel team to investigate slush fund allegations surrounding the Samsung Group will begin operations Thursday morning. The team obtained documents from prosecutors Tuesday.

Headed by lead counsel Cho Joon-woong, the team started examining the documents Tuesday afternoon.

The team is divided into three task forces. Assistant prosecutor Yun Jeong-seok will work with Incheon district prosecutor Lee Won-kon to investigate the allegation that Samsung made improper payments during the 2002 presidential election campaign and lobbied high-ranking officials.

Kang Chan-woo of the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office, along with assistant prosecutor Cho Dae-hwan, will see if Samsung raised slush funds and illegally transferred managerial rights.

Lee Ju-hyeong of the Seoul Central Prosecutors Office and assistant prosecutor Jaegal Bok-seong will focus on if Samsung used slush funds to bribe politicians, legal professionals and public officials.

Former Samsung attorney Kim Yong-cheol, who first made the bombshell accusation that the group uses employee accounts to stash slush funds, told a news conference in Seoul, “The court continues to reject arrest warrant requests from prosecutors. The court is highly suspected of hindering the investigation.”

The Seoul Central Prosecutors` Office denied Kim’s allegation, saying, “The court has never tried to block the investigation against Samsung. The judges in charge of issuing warrants perform their duty based on law and principles. We are sorry that Kim has seriously defamed judges.”

dnsp@donga.com