Presidential Secretary Probed on Bribery Charges

The Seoul Central Prosecutor`s Office grilled Chung Sang-mun, presidential secretary for general affairs, as a reference on Feb. 16. Chung is facing allegations of receiving bribes from a shipping company in return for exempting it from mandatory audit.

According to a “lobby list” compiled by Chung’s former son-in-law, Lee, and a former employee of the shipping company, Seo, Chung has received 100 million won in his house in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, in April 2004, and his mother-in-law 55 million won in August and September, respectively.

Chung’s former son-in-law has stated consistently in a series of recent investigations held by the prosecution, “The shipping company put 10 bundles, each worth 10 million won, in a travel suitcase, and I delivered it to Chung in person to ask for favors regarding the audit.”

However, Chung said, “I remember Lee bringing the suitcase of cash but I returned it. I cannot clearly remember if it was immediately returned or a few days afterward.” He has reportedly emphasized that he had never received any request regarding the tax investigation.

The prosecution is considering additional summoning of Chung after tracking down the trail of the cash in question since he would be subject to the criminal punishment on charges of brokering and bribery if he did not return the cash.

In addition, referring to the aforementioned list, the prosecution also summoned a finance director, of the shipping company, identified only by his surname Kim, two days in a row on Feb. 16 and 17. Kim has also reportedly delivered bribes to officials at the National Tax Office and other investigatory organizations.

With the evidence secured from Kim’s house on Feb. 13, investigators reportedly grilled Kim whether he lobbied the officials.

Meanwhile, Lee said in a recent interview with a weekly magazine, “Back in the 17th general elections in 2004, Chung told me to financially support four candidates including one close to President Roh, saying it was an order from Cheong Wa Dae. I gave them 30 million won each together with a top official at the shipping company, and three of them won the election.”

Although the prosecution said they would focus on the existing charges for the time being, it did not rule out a possibility of conducting additional investigation.

needjung@donga.com