‘Ex-Pres. Roh`s Supporter Embezzled Over W10 Bln’

Prosecutors yesterday said they have circumstantial evidence that Kang Keum-won, chairman of Changshin Textile and a key supporter of former President Roh Moo-hyun, embezzled more than 10 billion won (6.6 million U.S. dollars) in company funds.

Kang is known to have taken the money while running the company and a country club in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, and also dodged billions of won in taxes.

The Supreme Public Prosecutors` Office said it found evidence while analyzing data seized from Changshin and Cygnus Country Club.

Until early last month, prosecutors had estimated Kang embezzled billions of won but discovered other company funds that are highly suspicious while tracing money flows and analyzing accounting data. Prosecutors said they expect to find more embezzled funds after further investigation.

Prosecutors will soon summon Kang to question him on embezzlement and other charges. After concluding their probe, they plan to check the legality of the funds Kang paid to Ahn Hee-jung, a member of the main opposition Democratic Party’s supreme council and Roh’s confidant, under the pretext of payment of fines.

dnsp@donga.com