Ex-prime minister grilled over bribery claims

By Jung Min-ho

Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo was questioned by prosecutors Thursday about allegations that he accepted bribes, 17 days after he resigned from the post.

Lee is suspected of receiving 30 million won ($27,000) in illegal funds from Sung Woan-jong, the former chairman of Keangnam Enterprises, during a National Assembly by-election campaign in April 2013.

“Nothing beats the truth in this world,” Lee told reporters before entering the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office in the southern part of the city at around 10 a.m.

“Whatever the reason, I am sorry to have caused everyone so much anxiety. I came here to explain what really happened. I expect the issue to be resolved after the probe,” he added.

When asked about the allegations, Lee refused to answer and said, “If necessary, I will consider having media interviews later.”

If found guilty, Lee ― an incumbent lawmaker from the ruling Saenuri party ― will likely lose his parliamentary seat as well. Also, he will be banned from running for political office for five years. That could mean the end of his political career.

Lee is the second of eight politicians listed as bribe takers in a memo written by Sung just before he hanged himself last month.

Prosecutors suspect that Sung gave a shopping bag containing 30 million won to Lee, who was at his election campaign office in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, on April 4. Surveillance camera footage shows Sung’s car passed through the Buyeo tollgate at 4 p.m. that day.

After questioning Sung’s former secretary, surnamed Geum, and Lee’s former chauffeur, surnamed Yun, prosecutors concluded that Sung and Lee met there, though it is unclear whether a bag was delivered.

Investigators are also looking into whether Lee tried to cajole Yun into keeping his mouth shut. Lee’s secretary, surnamed Kim, was grilled by the prosecution Wednesday about that suspicion after he called Yun several times.

Lee has repeatedly denied the accusations, and said he would even “forfeit" his life if there is any evidence that he received the money. He also claimed that he was not close to Sung.

Some of his claims have already turned out to be lies. Prosecutors found last month that Lee and Sung met 23 times over the past 20 months and exchanged 210 phone calls last year. Some photos taken of their smiling faces were also revealed.

Prosecutors are reportedly planning to indict Lee on charges of breaking the political funding law, which requires politicians to declare details of all money they receive.

Last week, South Gyeongsang Governor Hong Joon-pyo was questioned by the prosecution over allegations that he accepted bribes worth 100 million won from Sung.

With six more suspects under investigation, including the incumbent Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Byung-kee, the Park Geun-hye administration is facing its own test for transparency after, ironically, it declared an “all out war” on corruption in March.

The ongoing scandal has also raised speculation that some of Sung’s alleged kickbacks might have been used by President Park’s campaign team in the 2012 race, which could put the integrity of her presidency at risk.