Kim Yong-cheol Reveals Names in Samsung Scandal

Kim Young-cheol, former chief of legal team of Samsung Group, said at a press conference at the Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice (CPAJ) yesterday that those who received bribes from Samsung include Lim Chae-jin, the Attorney General appointee; Lee Gwi-nam, chief of investigations at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office; and Lee Jong-baek, chairman of the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The CPAJ convened the press conference in Jegi-dong Catholic Church in Seoul, and an official said, “Cheil Industries President Je Jin-hoon managed Lee Jong-baek, while Lim Chae-jin was managed by former S1 President Lee Woo-hui who attended the same high school as Lim.”

Lim responded to the claim through Supreme Prosecutors’ Office PR Director Kim Gyeong-su, who said, “It is an unfounded claim. I have never taken any requests or bribes from Samsung.” Lee Gwi-nam also said, “I attended the same college as Kim Yong-cheol. But we never met or had meals together, and I’ve never received money from him.”

Lee Jong-baek said, “This is unfounded. I’ll seriously consider legal response to such charges.”

The CPAJ also disclosed a four-page document entitled “Daily Details of JY’s Securities Acquisition,” saying, “This document demonstrates how Samsung Electronics Managing Director Lee Jae-yong illegally created wealth.”

In response, Samsung said, “Kim’s assertion that Samsung regularly bribed three senior officials, including Lim Chae-jin, is totally groundless. It is malicious slander aimed at hurting Samsung.”

Regarding the document about Lee Jae-yong, the company explained, “We made the document in October 2003 when the prosecution requested us to submit documents related to the Everland case. The document was already submitted to prosecutors and verified and explained by them.”

Meanwhile, the prosecution assigned a probe into Samsung slush fund speculations raised by the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and Minbyun to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office led by Oh Gwang-soo.