Ex-presidential aide questioned

By Lee Hyo-sik

A former aide to President Lee Myung-bak appeared before the prosecution Wednesday for questioning over allegations that he accepted bribes from a troubled savings bank in return for providing favors.

Kim Hae-soo, 53, now CEO of the state-run Korea Construction Management Corp. is suspected of receiving tens of millions of won from Busan Mutual Savings Bank on several occasions in return for favors regarding the lender’s construction projects. He served as presidential secretary for political affairs from 2008 to 2010.

Kim has denied the bribery allegations.

He arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul at 2 p.m. When asked about whether he took money from Yoon Yeou-sung, a jailed lobbyist for the savings bank, Kim said he would faithfully answer investigators’ questions. He said he has known Yoon for some time.

Prosecutors said they secured testimony from the jailed lobbyist that he gave Kim tens of millions of won in a bid to seek favors over a soured construction project in Incheon. The savings banks invested 470 billion won in building a residential complex, which hit a snag due to financial difficulties. The lender attempted to continue the project by seeking favors from him and other politicians.

Investigators said they will question Kim about whether he accepted kickbacks from Yoon. Prosecutors are expected to seek an arrest warrant for when they complete the interrogation.

Kim became the first former or incumbent Cheong Wa Dae official to be summoned for questioning in connection with the troubled savings bank, which lobbied politicians, financial regulators and other influential figures to cover up a range of irregularities.

Several officials from the Board of Audit and Inspections, the Financial Supervisory Service and the Financial Services Commission have been arrested for taking bribes from the lender.