Tens of billions of won found in account linked to late president's brother

Prosecutors said Friday they have discovered tens of billions of won (tens of millions of dollars) in a bank account apparently linked to the elder brother of former President Roh Moo-hyun, backing allegations he took bribes in exchange for influence peddling.

Roh Geon-pyeong, 70, is currently suspected of receiving 940 million won (US$801,360) in kickbacks to influence the award of a land reclamation project in 2007 while the late president was in office. He has twice appeared before prosecutors in Changwon, about 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for questioning and prosecutors said they expect to indict him soon.

Lee Joon-myung, a prosecutor at the Changwon prosecutors' office, told reporters the prosecution tracked transactions in the account for three years or more until May 2008.

"Prosecutors have found several tens of billions of won in a bank account owned by a person believed to be the elder Roh's money manager, while conducting an investigation into allegations of his bribery," said Lee.

"We have no choice but to launch a fresh investigation into the large sums, as Roh is additionally suspected of (involvement in) the transactions."

Roh's attorney Chung Jae-sung balked at the claim and vowed to sue the prosecutor who revealed it to the media.

"It is impossible and abnormal for the prosecution to disclose allegations to the media while an investigation is under way," Chung said in a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency. "(Claims related to the) bulk of money are groundless and (I have) no official position (on it)."

Prosecutors said Roh has denied the allegations but was unable to offer a convincing explanation when presented with specific evidence against him. He is also suspected of embezzling 875 million won from a company he effectively owns, they said.

Roh was convicted of taking bribes in a 2006 corporate takeover deal and served a prison term in 2010 before being released under a presidential pardon in August that year.

His brother, the former president, killed himself in 2009 amid a widening corruption probe involving his family. (Yonhap)