By Na Jeong-ju
Both media and political parties have rolled up their sleeves to verify allegations surrounding Ahn Cheol-soo, who declared his bid to run for the Dec. 19 presidential election Wednesday.
There are more than 20 suspicious cases raised on Ahn’s past, but none of them have been clarified, according to the ruling Saenuri Party.
One of the sensitive issues is Ahn’s connection with V-Society, a fraternity consisting of executives from conglomerates and venture start-ups. Ahn, who has earned a reputation as a clean, ethical entrepreneur, signed a petition along with some 40 other V-Society members in 2003 to call for the release of SK Chairman Chey Tae-won. Chey was then serving a jail term after being convicted of embezzlement charges.
The disclosure could be a blow to Ahn, who has repeatedly said in public that firms should have high ethical standards, and any corrupt businessmen should be sent to jail. Some describe him as a hypocrite, although he expressed regret for his behavior through aides.
There is also a rumor about Ahn’s involvement in a bribery case.
Some alleged that Ahn bribed officials to attract Korea Development Bank’s investment into Ahnlab, a computer vaccine maker Ahn founded, in 1999. As the suspicion grew, a former KDB official who dealt with the case appeared on a cable news program and denied the allegation.
One of the most sensational media reports about Ahn might be about whether he drank in a hostess bar (room salon) or not.
A monthly magazine, published by the conservative daily DongA Ilbo, reported in its September edition that Ahn once drank with a senior government official in a room salon, saying it contradicted his previous claim that he hasn’t had a drop of alcohol since 1998.
In an email to reporters, Ahn countered that he has sometimes gone to bars for business, but doesn’t drink alcohol, nor did he engage in any ill reputable activities.
Ahn is also suspected of engaging in real estate speculation when he bought an apartment in southern Seoul in 1988 with money from his parents.
In his book, he said he was well aware of the plight of tenants because he lived without owning a home for a long time. However, the apartment was purchased after he got married as a graduate school student.