By You Soo-sun
The prosecution searched GS Home Shopping’s headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, southwest Seoul, Tuesday, as part of its ongoing investigation of former presidential secretary Jun Byung-hun who faces bribery charges.
The local home shopping channel is suspected of “donating” 100 million won ($92,293) to the Korea e-Sports Association, which Jun once headed, in 2015. It is the second local home shopping channel to be investigated after Lotte, which donated 330 million won and possibly more to the same sports association in 2013.
Prosecutors believe the “donations” were made in return for favors involving the renewal of broadcasting licenses needed to operate the home shopping channels as then three-term lawmaker Jun was a member of the parliamentary committee overseeing related policies.
The prosecution earlier sought an arrest warrant for Jun, but this was rejected by a Seoul court on the grounds that the allegations were disputable and that he was unlikely to flee or destroy evidence.
Jun who is the first high-profile official in the Moon administration to face a corruption probe, resigned amid the scandal, but has flatly denied all charges.
Two former aides to Jun and a broker were arrested on bribery charges earlier this month. They are suspected of embezzling at least 500 million won from Lotte Home Shopping’s donations.
The investigation may spread as the prosecution reportedly found evidence hinting at transactions of a similar nature from other businesses.
Prosecutors are reportedly examining whether they should make a second attempt to get an arrest warrant for Jun.