By Lee Kyung-min
Expectations are growing that the prosecution will accelerate its long-stalled investigation into former presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo and major business groups, following the arrest of former President Park Geun-hye.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrant early Friday, recognizing the prosecution’s 13 charges against Park including bribery, abuse of power and extortion as well as the possibility of her destroying evidence. Park was transported to Seoul Detention Center in Euiwang, Gyeonggi Province, where her ”accomplices” are detained including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, former chief of staff Kim Ki-choon, former Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in the influence-peddling scandal.
Woo and business groups including SK, CJ and Lotte were earlier implicated in the corruption scandal that led to Park’s impeachment. But they have all managed to dodge investigation so far due to a lack of evidence, time constraints, and a shortage of prosecution manpower and resources.
The prosecution may summon Woo as early as Saturday or Sunday, to question him over his alleged abuse of power as well as personal corruption. Earlier, the prosecution sought an arrest warrant for Woo, but the Seoul court rejected the request citing a lack of evidence.
Woo is suspected of thwarting investigation into alleged malfeasance of the Coast Guard in the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014 to minimize the blowback on the Park Geun-hye administration.
The prosecution recently secured statements from senior prosecutor Yoon Dae-jin who led the investigation in 2014 at the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office. While the specifics are not available, Yoon reportedly told the prosecution about Woo’s alleged role in pressuring his team not to thoroughly look into the Coast Guard over the sinking of Sewol.
The prosecution is also looking into an allegation that Woo attempted to name one of his associates to the culture ministry-led special investigation unit formed to tackle corruption in sports.
The prosecution is investigating allegations that Woo, the former Cheong Wa Dae civil affairs secretary, had his staff, whose primary task was to monitor corruption of public officials, to inspect public officials who failed or showed reluctance to follow presidential office orders. Many former and incumbent officials at the culture and foreign ministries, and the Fair Trade Commission are believed to have been dismissed or demoted in the process. He also faces alleged dereliction of duty for overlooking or aiding and abetting the alleged criminal activities of Choi.
Investigators at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office raided his office in Cheong Wa Dae, March 21, and secured documents there.
Other allegations against him include that he engaged in perjury and unlawful surveillance of citizens.
Meanwhile, investigations into SK, CJ and Lotte are likely. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun are suspected of giving money to two foundations set up and controlled by Choi in return for being granted presidential pardons after they were convicted of embezzlement among other financial crimes. Lotte Group is suspected of giving money to the foundations in return for being granted a right to run duty free shops.
The de facto Samsung leader, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, was indicted on charges of bribery for giving money to the foundations and Choi’s daughter Chung Yoo-ra in return for Park’s pressure for the merger of two affiliates of the group that cemented his position.
Samsung was the largest donor, giving 43.3 billion won ($39 million) to the foundations, followed by Hyundai Motor (12.8 billion) and SK Group (11.1 billion). CJ gave 1.3 billion won.