By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Minster of Justice Kim Sung-ho yesterday said that extenuating circumstances relating to the assault charge against Kim Seung-youn, chairman of Hanwha Group, could be taken into consideration.
The Hanwha CEO is charged with mobilizing gangsters to kidnap and assault six men, out of revenge on behalf of his son, an action which the minister said could be viewed as an expression of fatherly love.
The minister's remarks came as he gave a lecture on the theme of law and principle to students at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, for which he has since faced strong criticism on his leniency in the controversial case given his position.
Meanwhile, police will transfer the case of the 55-year-old CEO to the prosecution today, as necessary investigations are complete.
Once the case is sent to the prosecution, Kim, who has been in jail at Namdaemun Police Station since Friday, will be transferred handcuffed to the Seoul Correction Bureau, which is run by the Ministry of Justice.
After further investigation, the prosecution will take legal action on the six major charges against Kim _ the use of violence, collective assault, use of weapons, kidnapping, mobilization of gangsters and obstructing the bar from conducting its business.
On Tuesday, the police summoned Kim's son for further questioning and he admitted his involvement in the assault with his father. But he denied allegations that his father mobilized gangsters and used weapons in the assault.
Police also completed interrogation of the nine gangsters allegedly involved in the incident after booking them Tuesday, and some of them testified that they went to the scene of the assault only to intimidate the six men, police said.
Police also said an arrest warrant had been issued for the mid-level boss of a criminal gang Oh, who is reportedly a key figure involved in the mobilization of gangsters for the assault. Since he has fled to Canada, police are trying to track his bank account records to investigate whether he received money from Kim for his services.
Police plan to have a news conference to announce the progress and result of its investigation sooner or later.