Samsung Prosecutor Opens Web Site For Tip-Offs
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
An independent counsel investigating allegations of bribery and other illegalities against the Samsung Group opened an Internet website on Friday to collect tip-offs regarding the conglomerate.
It is the first time for an investigation team to use such a method in an attempt to garner information.
The measure aims to encourage former and incumbent officials of the group to offer crucial information to the counsel on condition of anonymity.
``We opened the site to introduce what we're doing and receive tip-offs,'' said Yoon Jeong-seok, assistant prosecutor for the counsel's team.
The site https://cafe.naver.com/samsungspecialpro introduces the location of the investigation team's office as well as other information such as a telephone number and email address. It also has sections for announcements, an introduction to the special counsel and a suggestions board.
The counsel began the investigation on Thursday to look into the nation's largest conglomerate over allegations that the group raised a slush fund; bribed policymakers, prosecutors and judges; and committed illegalities in the transfer of wealth from Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son Jae-yong.
Led by special prosecutor Cho Joon-woong and consisting of three assistant prosecutors, the team has 105 days to complete the investigation and can ask for assistance from the aides of three incumbent prosecutors and 40 civil servants if required.
The team will soon decide the scope of investigation with detailed plans after scrutinizing investigation records that the prosecution handed over to the special counsel.
``We have received all the necessary material from the prosecution. We will look through them quickly and launch a full-scale investigation soon,'' Yoon said.
But Yoon kept mum about whether and when they will summon the group's chairman and other key figures, maintaining a careful stance.