Kim Sung-chul Summoned and Investigated

The Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office summoned Kim Sung-chul, the president of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Busan branch, for an investigation yesterday of his suspected involvement in the corruption scandals involving presidential aids.

The prosecution questioned him over why he supplied illegal funds to Choi Do-sul, the former presidential secretary, and why he rented his company building free of charge to the Busan branch of the MDP (Millennium Democratic Party) election management committee during last year’s presidential election campaign.

However, while exiting the prosecution building yesterday at 10 a.m., Kang responded to reporters’ questions about the case, including the amount of funds he gave to Choi, with, “I have never given any illegal funds to Choi.”

The prosecution confirmed that Kang Keum-won, chairman of Chnagshin Textile in Busan and Roh’s longtime supporter, collected a large sum of money when he purchased the Signous Golf Course located in Chungju. An investigation into the source of the funds is under way.

As soon as the examination of materials seized from Kang’s house is completed, the prosecution is slated once again to summon Kang and Seon Bong-sul, former president of Jangsoocheon, for interrogation.

Meanwhile, after obtaining Hyundai Aerospace Air (HAA) auditing materials produced by the A accounting firm, the prosecution is investigating whether or not HAA, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor that was liquidated on December 2001, raised slush funds.

In addition, following the examination of materials presented by LG e-shop and Kumho strategic management headquarters, the prosecution confirmed that they possessed evidence proving that slush funds were raised in both companies.

Moon Hyo-nam, chief investigation planner at the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office, said, “The reason why we sought a search warrant for LG and Kumho and called on these companies to turn in materials for investigation was not to oppress the companies, but to secure evidence regarding illegal presidential campaign funds scandal and the way they raised slush funds.

After questioning the financial officers of LG e-shop this year, the prosecution plans to decide when to summon LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo.

Furthermore, the prosecution is seriously considering summoning Kumho Group Chairman Park Sam-goo to investigate presidential campaign funds provided by the Kumho Group.

The prosecution is also investigating companies that contributed more than 10 million won to the Grand National Party during last year’s presidential campaign period by examining material presented by the supporter’s association in the party headquarters.

After confirming whether differences exist between the accounting of the party’s books and amount the companies claim to have contributed, the prosecution is slated to investigate suspicions regarding manipulation of presidential campaign funds by the GNP.

Wi-Yong Jung Tae-Hoon Lee viyonz@donga.com jefflee@donga.com