Roh’s Ex-Aide, Shin Called In Sunday Over Scandal

The prosecution said Sunday that it called in a former close presidential aide to President Roh Moo-hyun in the afternoon to investigate his alleged abuse of his power over in recruitment of an ex-university professor who has been revealed to have forged her master's and doctorate degrees.

Byeon Yang-kyoon, 58, former presidential secretary for policy planning, is alleged to abuse his clout when Dongguk University recruited Shin Jeong-ah, 35, as then minister of planning and budget, And when she was selected as art direct of the nation's largest art fair, Gwangju Bienale this year.

Shin will also be called in upon arrival at the Incheon International Airport from Japan, the prosecution said. She arrived at the airport at 5:30 p.m. on the JAL953 flight, which left Narita airport in Tokyo at 2:40 p.m. "I am very sorry for causing trouble," Shin briefly said, when he got out of the airport into a car escorted by police.

Prosecutors will investigate into whether Byeon peddled his power when Byeon was collecting corporate donations as the curator of the Sungkok Art Museum.