Seo Hyang-hee

By Lee Tae-hoon

A sister-in-law of Rep. Park Geun-hye, the presidential frontrunner of the ruling Saenuri Party, left for Hong Kong last week, raising suspicions that she left the country to avoid corruption charges involving her and her husband.

A source said that attorney Seo Hyang-hee, who served as a legal adviser to Samhwa Savings Bank for two years before the bank went bankrupt, left the country on July 12, saying that she wanted to accompany her five-year old son to an English study camp.

Political pundits say Seo’s departure could be interpreted as an attempt to alleviate growing suspicions that she and her husband Park Ji-man took bribes from Samhwa Savings Bank in exchange for influence peddling.

It is claimed that Rep. Park may have requested she leave the country for a while as an increasing number of people say that prosecutors should look into the alleged corruption scandal involving her brother and sister-in-law.

The stock value of Miju Steel rose sharply last year upon Seo’s appointment as its legal adviser as word spread that the steel company has connections with presidential contender Park.

Stock values of other companies, including leather processor Shinwoo and Dongbu TS Black Pearl, also enjoyed a sharp rise as Seo provided legal consulting services to them.

Seo and her husband have been accused of boosting stock values by using undue influence by peddling the name of Park Geun-hye.