By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun Saturday denied the allegation that he was bribed by the Samsung Group after winning the 2002 election.
His remarks came a day after the National Assembly approved a bill demanding an independent investigation of the bribery scandal involving the Samsung Group.
Samsung is accused of having bribed influential government officials, senior prosecutors and judges. The group is also accused of having offered illicit funds to Roh in 2002, when the liberal candidate of the then ruling Millennium Democratic Party beat opposition rival Lee Hoi-chang.
Other accusations include claims that the conglomerate manipulated evidence and witnesses in a court case over a purported deal that critics say was aimed at transferring corporate control of Samsung from the group's chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to his only son, Lee Jae-yong.
The presidential office said Roh may veto the bill, however, the veto would indicated his involvement in the scandal.
``Being distrusted is a sad and shameful thing on a personal and national level,'' Roh said in a speech at a Buddhist ceremony in South Gyeongsang Province. ``Whether a special prosecutor investigates the allegation or not, the truth will be unveiled. South Korea is not a country in which anyone can conceal things by abusing power.''
Roh, however, did not clarify his position on the appointment of an independent prosecutor.
The bill calls for Roh to name an independent prosecutor out of three candidates recommended by the Koran Bar Association to look into allegations against Samsung.
The prosecutor, aided by 33 assistant investigators, is entitled to investigate the case for up to 105 days.
Even if Roh vetoes the bill, the Assembly can override the veto if a majority of its 299 members attend a floor vote and two-thirds vote in favor of it.
Many South Korean business groups have often been accused of exercising influence as well as engaging in dubious deals between subsidiaries to help evade taxes and transfer wealth to heirs.
The latest allegations involving Samsung are based on the claims of Kim Yong-chul, a former top legal affairs official for the giant group.
Kim said he was bribing those in the legal circle including Lim Chae-jin, nominee for the prosecutor-general. Lim denied the allegation.