Brother of former Pres. Roh still out of public's eye as summons near

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors planned to summon a brother of former
President Roh-Moo-hyun as early as Monday for questioning over his role in the
2006 takeover of an ailing securities firm, for which he is alleged to have
received bribes.

Roh Gun-pyeong, 66, who has continued to shun the public eye since the
allegations emerged, is suspected of influencing the state-run mega firm
Nonghyup, or the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, to take over
Sejong Securities Co. as it teetered on the brink of default while his younger
brother was in office.
The probe was part of a broader investigation involving several Roh associates.
The corruption scandal cast a shadow to the legacy of the former president who
had promoted "clean politics" and distanced himself from his predecessors tainted
with relatives' corruption.
Investigators at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Roh Gun-pyeong may have
been promised real estate for his influence in the deal. Roh, who was formerly
convicted of another bribery scandal in 2004, has denied the allegations and
concealed his whereabouts for a week.
The prosecution spokesman, Choi Jai-kyeong, told reporters that investigators
"have acquired Nonghyup's internal documents that report Sejong Securities was
selected as the first negotiating partner in early July 2005."
The selection was made shortly after Roh had called the chief of Nonghyup at that
time, Chung Dae-kun, to talk of the security firm, Choi said.
Half a year later, Nonghyup signed a 110 billion (US$75 million) takeover deal
with Sejong Securities, which was then renamed Nonghyup CA Asset Management.
Prosecutors allege Roh's phone call played a decisive role in making the deal.
The Nonghyup chief, Chung Dae-kun, was also suspected of pocketing bribes for the
takeover. Chung is serving a jail term for another bribery case.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun has expressed revervations. Pressed by reporters
while greeting visitors of his rural residence Sunday afternoon, he said, "Let's
wait for the prosecutors' investigation."
Prosecutors said Roh Gun-pyeong will be summoned on Monday or Tuesday.
They allege lobbyists received 3 billion won from the parent company of Sejong
Securities and bought a video game parlor worth 800 million for Roh's portion.
The lobbyists, now detained for the investigation, are also acquainted with the
former president.
A key sponsor for the former president also faces trial. Park Yen-cha, head of
Taekwang Industry Co., a leading shoemaker and a Nike outsourcing firm, was
accused of reaping huge earnings from the Sejong Securities takeover and
acquiring a Nonghyup affiliate at a bargain.
Park had invested 11 billion won in the shaky securities firm just months before
the takeover and earned 17.8 billion won when its shares jumped at the news of
the deal.
Park and Roh will be represented by first-rate lawyers at court, sources said. In
2004, Roh Gun-pyeong received a suspended jail term for accepting 30 million won
from the head of Daewoo Engineering and Construction.
The Daewoo E&C chief, Nam Sang-kook, committed suicide by jumping into the Han
River after then President Roh publicly shamed him during a public conference
broadcast nationwide.
The Rohs now live in their rural hometown, Bonghwa village in South Gyeongsang
Province. The former president retired there in February.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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