Roh Geon-ho |
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The only son of former President Roh Moo-hyun turned himself for a prosecution investigation again Tuesday over his alleged involvement in a bribery scandal centered around a financial supporter of the former president.
Roh Geon-ho, 36, an employee of LG Electronics on temporary leave to study in the U.S., returned home Saturday and was questioned by prosecutors Sunday. The prosecution is looking into his connections with Park Yeon-cha, the CEO of a local shoe-making company, who allegedly offered billions of won in bribes to political heavyweights, including the former first family.
Prosecutors are expected to indict former President Roh Moo-hyun for taking a bribe from Taekwang CEO Park Yeon-cha. Roh faces a summons for questioning next week.
On his Web site, the former President admitted that his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, ``borrowed'' $1 million from Park ``to repay a debt.'' On top of the $1 million, part of a further $5 million given by the Taekwang CEO to Yeon Cheol-ho, the husband of Roh's niece, is suspected to have been channeled to Roh's son, Geon-ho.
The prosecution, targeting the $1 million Kwon admitted to having taken, made it clear that the former President would be prosecuted on bribery charges, regardless of how and where the money was spent.
``From whom the money was received and what it was spent on are different matters,'' said Hong Man-pyo, a senior prosecutor at the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office. ``If receipt of the money is confirmed by the prosecution, how it was spent is not a key issue.''
His remarks mean that confirmation of the money transfer is sufficient grounds to prosecute Roh. When Kwon was summoned to a prosecution office in Busan for questioning Saturday, the former first lady refused to comment on how the money was spent.
Roh has said the money from Park was not a bribe, claiming it was a loan and an ``investment'' into a family member's business. He added he was unaware of the transfer until his wife admitted it to him recently.
However, the prosecution said it has secured Park's testimony that Roh himself asked for the money, which was used to cover the living and tuition costs of his son who was studying in the United States.
The summons of Roh, previously expected later this week, is likely to take place next week as the prosecution needs more time to question his son and trace the flow of the $5 million given to Yeon, according to Hong.
Investigators believe that some of the money was invested in a company jointly established by Geon-ho and Yeon. Prosecutors said the former President's son will be summoned again today for further questioning.
On Monday, the prosecution grilled Yeon for a second time over the $5 million deal. The summons came following the questioning of Kwon and Geon-ho.
Yeon allegedly visited Park's factory in Vietnam in late 2007 to demand the money, and Roh's son accompanied him in an apparent attempt to pressure the CEO. Yeon claimed the money was an investment into his venture firm.
The junior Roh was interrogated Sunday about his alleged involvement in the deal, and whether he received another $1 million from Park. He was supposed to present himself for questioning Monday, but requested a delay until today for ``health reasons.''
The former President claimed on his Web site his wife borrowed $1 million from Park through his secretary Chung Sang-moon to make good on a debt and that he only learned this recently.
But prosecutors have already secured Park's testimony that Roh himself demanded the money and the CEO delivered it in cash to Chung at Cheong Wa Dae.
Even before being questioned, however, Roh refuted the allegations head-on. He said on his Web site, ``Taking moral responsibility and committing a crime are two different things,'' indicating he and his family should not be subject to legal punishment.
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