ID :
33266
Mon, 12/01/2008 - 10:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33266
The shortlink copeid
Former Pres. Roh's brother appears for questioning in bribery scandal
(ATTN: UPDATES from 3rd para)
SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- A brother of former President Roh-Moo-hyun appeared
before prosecutors on Monday for questioning over his suspected role in the 2006
takeover of an ailing securities firm, for which he is alleged to have received
bribes.
Roh Gun-pyeong, 66, 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.
Roh appeared in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office at 10:40 a.m. after a week-long
withdrawal from public eye.
Prosecutors are expected to inquire whether he played a role in the takeover and
was promised real estate in return. They allege a video game parlor worth 800
million (US$542,373) might have been bought for Roh in return for helping
engineer the takeover in January 2006.
The allegations, if proven, can land him in a jail term up to five years or a 50
million won fine.
Roh, who was formerly convicted of another bribery scandal in 2004, has denies
the allegations.
The prosecution spokesman, Choi Jai-kyeong, told reporters on Sunday that
investigators have obtained 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 about the security firm, Choi said.
Half a year later, Nonghyup signed a 110 billion ($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 sealing the deal.
The Nonghyup chief, Chung Dae-kun, was also suspected of pocketing bribes in the
takeover. Chung is serving a jail term on another bribery case.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun has been reserved in commenting on the case.
Pressed by reporters while greeting visitors at his rural residence Sunday
afternoon, he said, "Let's wait for the prosecutors' investigation."
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- A brother of former President Roh-Moo-hyun appeared
before prosecutors on Monday for questioning over his suspected role in the 2006
takeover of an ailing securities firm, for which he is alleged to have received
bribes.
Roh Gun-pyeong, 66, 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.
Roh appeared in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office at 10:40 a.m. after a week-long
withdrawal from public eye.
Prosecutors are expected to inquire whether he played a role in the takeover and
was promised real estate in return. They allege a video game parlor worth 800
million (US$542,373) might have been bought for Roh in return for helping
engineer the takeover in January 2006.
The allegations, if proven, can land him in a jail term up to five years or a 50
million won fine.
Roh, who was formerly convicted of another bribery scandal in 2004, has denies
the allegations.
The prosecution spokesman, Choi Jai-kyeong, told reporters on Sunday that
investigators have obtained 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 about the security firm, Choi said.
Half a year later, Nonghyup signed a 110 billion ($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 sealing the deal.
The Nonghyup chief, Chung Dae-kun, was also suspected of pocketing bribes in the
takeover. Chung is serving a jail term on another bribery case.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun has been reserved in commenting on the case.
Pressed by reporters while greeting visitors at his rural residence Sunday
afternoon, he said, "Let's wait for the prosecutors' investigation."
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
