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Leaders of the country's nine biggest conglomerates are sworn in as witnesses before the parliamentary investigation of the Park Geun-hye scandal, Tuesday. From right, Huh Chang-soo, GS Group Chairman and leader of the Federation of Korean Industries, the nation's biggest business lobby; Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo; Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho; Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin; Samsung Group Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong; SK group Chairman Chey Tae-won; Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn; LG Group Chairman Ku Bon-moo; and CJ Group Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik. / Yonhap |
By Park Si-soo
Leaders of South Korea's nine largest conglomerates are being questioned in a parliamentary investigation of a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her shadowy confidant Choi Soon-sil.
The investigation centers on conglomerates' alleged behind-the-scenes deals with Choi, and whether the President pressured them to donate to two foundations controlled by Choi.
Attending the session are the chiefs of Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, LG, Lotte, Hanwha, Hanjin, CJ and GS.
Samsung heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong is expected to be questioned over allegations that the company earned support from the National Pension Service (NPS) for its controversial merger of two affiliates in 2015 in exchange for its cash donation to Choi and her daughter, Chung Yu-ra.
The hearing is expected to affect an opposition-led impeachment vote against Park slated for Friday.
