"Paper Firm Helped Roh`s Side Acquire Document"

The presidential office of Cheng Wa Dae yesterday disclosed a paper company that ordered and purchased "additional e-jiwon system" (digital knowledge park) on behalf of former President Roh Moo-hyun`s side in order to illegally taking sensitive data from the National Archives.

A Cheong Wa Dae official said, “(According to our investigation into its identity,) it was a private paper company headed by a CEO surnamed Heo in Jongno, Seoul. We believe that the firm has ties with former President Roh’s key aides and that the aides directly paid the cost the firm has spent buying the additional e-jiwon system.”

The firm moved its headquarters in Yangsan, Gyeonggi Province to Busan last November, changing its title to “Dened.” The firm was registered that its capital at that time was 50 million won and runs business in various fields such as multi media, hard ware manufacturing, soft ware and data base establishment, and car maintenance.

Although it removed its headquarters to Gangnam, Seoul, in March 2007, its capital remained the same at 50 million won. The CEO took office in 2004.

By the time President Roh was presumed to be implicated with the illegal access to the presidential documents in July-August last year, the firm again relocated its office to Jongno, Seoul, which is close to the presidential office, and moved again to the current address in Seocho, Seoul, in July 2008.

The source also said, “We already secured the information on who carried out the illegal activities. The suspects are believed to have driven a vehicle into Cheong Wa Dae and immediately disappeared after transpiring documents and additional electronic system.”

He also added that, “We secured the concrete evidence that the private firm manufacturing the e-jiwon system was closely involved in the entire procedure. This firm is believed to have delivered as well as installed the system to Bongha Village, former President Roh’s hometown residency in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province.”

The government, based on these allegations, is expected to file a lawsuit after Saturday against those who engaged in illegal copying and taking materials.

A high-ranking official of the ruling Grand National Party said, “When the National Archives wraps up its field investigation into Bongha Village Saturday, we plan to prosecute all implicated people at an appropriate time. The National Archives will bring charges against Roh.”

“If former President Roh refuges to return back the confidential materials even after the investigation, we have no choice but to resort to some legal actions such as seizure. Even if he returns the documents to the archives, those involved could face prosecution because it is illegal under current law for individual persons or organizations to possess presidential office-related documents,” he said.

The ruling party official cautiously raised the possibility of Roh’s involvement, saying, “The former president’s side has undergone thorough preparation to that end for almost one year. It is difficult to understand an outside private firm could do such a thing without the approval of the presidential office.”

mhpark@donga.com