Confirmation of text message could end bribery probe

The key question of whether a ruling Saenuri Party figure who tried to buy a proportional representation seat delivered the bribe to former Rep. Hyun Ki-hwan or if the money was intercepted will likely be answered through a March 15 text message on the cellphone of Cho Ki-moon, former head of the party’s Busan chapter.

Jeong Dong-geun, who blew the whistle on the scandal, told prosecutors that Cho had showed him a text message in the latter’s mobile phone at the time.

On this, prosecutors reportedly confirmed Sunday that the mobile phone with the text message that Cho showed Jeong was a folder-type handset, not the smartphone they have seized from Cho. If the text message recorded on the phone as a message from Hyun is proven to have been fabricated by Cho as Hyun’s message, the case will be concluded as “interception or pocketing (by Cho) of funds” meant to be delivered to Hyun.

Busan prosecutors investigating ruling party Rep. Hyun Young-hee’s alleged purchase of a proportional representation seat before the April 11 general elections reportedly secured testimony from Jeong, who said, “The mobile phone that Cho showed me saying former lawmaker Hyun sent him the message soon after I delivered Cho 300 million won (270,000 U.S. dollars) at a cafeteria in Seoul Station was a folder-type phone.”

Prosecutors, however, confirmed that Cho has just one mobile phone, a smartphone, in his name. They also found that the 300 million won Rep. Hyun sought to convey to the ruling party through Cho was meant to secure not only a proportional representation seat but also her nomination for Busan’s Haeundae-Gijang B constituency.

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