ID :
190304
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 09:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/190304
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Lee's former aide summoned over savings bank scandal
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- A former aide to President Lee Myung-bak appeared before prosecutors Wednesday for questioning over allegations of taking bribes from a troubled savings bank in return for his influence, officials said.
Kim Hae-soo, 53, who served as a political affairs aide to Lee from 2008 to 2010, is suspected of receiving kickbacks from a Busan Savings Bank lobbyist in exchange for exercising influence to help the bank win favors regarding a construction project, prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said.
It was the first time that a former presidential aide has been called in for questioning in connection with the massive scandal involving the ailing lender that is suspected of seeking influence of high-level officials and politicians to avoid punishment for irregularities.
In April, Kim was appointed the CEO of the Korea Construction Management Corp., a state-run company that supervises construction irregularities.
Prosecutors said the bank's lobbyist, now under arrest, confessed that he gave Kim tens of millions of won in May last year to seek favors over a construction project in the western port city of Incheon, which hit a snag due to financial difficulties.
The probe of the nation's largest savings bank began in March, a month after it was suspended with four affiliated banks and two other savings banks for capital shortages.
Investigators initially focused on financial illegalities by the banks, but later shifted to ranking former and incumbent government officials and politicians for alleged bribery.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
Kim Hae-soo, 53, who served as a political affairs aide to Lee from 2008 to 2010, is suspected of receiving kickbacks from a Busan Savings Bank lobbyist in exchange for exercising influence to help the bank win favors regarding a construction project, prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said.
It was the first time that a former presidential aide has been called in for questioning in connection with the massive scandal involving the ailing lender that is suspected of seeking influence of high-level officials and politicians to avoid punishment for irregularities.
In April, Kim was appointed the CEO of the Korea Construction Management Corp., a state-run company that supervises construction irregularities.
Prosecutors said the bank's lobbyist, now under arrest, confessed that he gave Kim tens of millions of won in May last year to seek favors over a construction project in the western port city of Incheon, which hit a snag due to financial difficulties.
The probe of the nation's largest savings bank began in March, a month after it was suspended with four affiliated banks and two other savings banks for capital shortages.
Investigators initially focused on financial illegalities by the banks, but later shifted to ranking former and incumbent government officials and politicians for alleged bribery.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
