By Kim Bo-eun
The prosecution arrested Ko Young-tae, a former close friend of former President Park Geun-hye’s confidant Choi Soon-sil, on influence-peddling charges, Tuesday, and raided his residence.
Prosecutors are looking into allegations Ko received 20 million won from an official surnamed Lee at Incheon Main Customs for having a personal contact surnamed Kim promoted as chief of the customs office.
Ko is suspected of having used his ties with Choi, who had considerable influence in the Park administration, to push for the promotion.
Kim became chief of the customs office in January 2016 and retired last January.
He told Yonhap he had not requested the position.
There is evidence of Ko’s alleged involvement in personnel affairs at the customs office in recordings of conversations between Ko and Lee.
As a director of Choi’s paper company The Blue K, Ko was a close friend of Choi, but turned his back on her after their relationship turned sour. He revealed the influence-peddling scandal surrounding former President Park and Choi.
He is suspected of having promoted his personal interests in various ways using Choi’s influence.
Prosecutors are expected to use the 48 hours of Ko’s confinement for interrogation.
Ko requested the Seoul Central District Court review the legality of his arrest, Wednesday morning.
“There was a problem in the prosecution’s seeking of Ko’s arrest warrant and the court’s issuing of the warrant,” his legal representative Kim Yong-min said in a statement.
Kim said prosecutors arrested Ko despite him promptly responding to the prosecution’s calls and agreeing to attend questioning.
The court has 48 hours to question Ko and review documents and evidence, to decide whether to maintain his confinement.
Ko, who has been claiming he is a victim of the scandal, is the only close acquaintance of Choi involved in the scandal who is not on trial.