Last ex-spy agency chief under Park Geun-hye questioned
NIS bribery investigation takes hold of all ex-spy agency chiefs under Park
By You Soo-sun
A former chief of the state spy agency National Intelligence Service (NIS) underwent questioning Monday over allegations the agency funneled its off-book funds to former President Park Geun-hye and her close aides.
Lee Byung-kee, 70, is the last of the agency’s three ex-chiefs to have been summoned for alleged involvement in the bribery scandal under Park.
They are suspected of paying 4 billion won ($3.6 million) of the agency’s special funds to Park’s former presidential secretaries ― Ahn Bong-geun, Lee Jae-man and Jeong Ho-seong.
Lee served as the head of the National Intelligence Service from July 2014 to March 2015 and later as Park’s chief secretary.
The only one to have worked at both the giving and receiving ends of the bribe, Lee is seen as a critical figure in the investigation.
“I am deeply sorry for inflicting disappointment and concern over the fact the agency’s fund was used to support Cheong Wa Dae,” Lee told reporters at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Monday morning.
“I am also personally apologetic for incurring additional burdens on the employees at the National Intelligence Service which has already lost some of its prestige.”
Lee, however, remained silent on the details of the matter, including whether the presidential office had requested the money and why the delivered amount had increased under his leadership.
Prosecutors are likely to focus on revealing why the agency paid a monthly 100 million won to Cheong Wa Dae under Lee, double the amount under his predecessor, Nam Jae-joon.
Prosecutors summoned the two other former spy chiefs, Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byeong-ho, for questioning last week.
They reportedly testified the payments were made following demands by Cheong Wa Dae, which they were unable to reject.
Ahn Bong-geun and Lee Jae-man were arrested earlier this month for receiving about 100 million won in cash every month between 2013 and 2016 and for spending part of that money for their personal affairs, including purchasing real estate.
They also testified against Park, who they say had ordered them to take the money.
Prosecutors are now likely to proceed with the investigation by interrogating the former president, who has been held in a detention center since March this year over power abuse and corruption charges.