ID :
205115
Sun, 09/04/2011 - 12:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/205115
The shortlink copeid
Presidential hopeful Chung makes series of revelations in memoir
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- Chung Mong-joon, a lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) and a presidential hopeful for next year's election, made a series of revelations in a memoir published this week, including allegations that a South Korean company requested millions of dollars to achieve the first-ever inter-Korean summit in 2000.
Chung, a scion of the conglomerate Hyundai Group, said in his book, "My Challenge, My Passion," that Hyundai officials asked for millions of dollars from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in an apparent bid to grease North Korea's palms ahead of the famous summit. Chung is currently the top shareholder of Hyundai Heavy, South Korea's leading shipbuilder.
"Two days later, I met with senior officials from the presidential office and told them my doubts about whether the secret could be kept. I also told them that they shouldn't serve President Kim Dae-jung in such a way," Chung said in his book, referring to the former president who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts toward reconciliation with North Korea.
The lawmaker added that he later found out that the money was taken from Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., and Kim, before leaving office, put all the blame on Hyundai.
Speaking at a press event for the book in Seoul on Sunday, the lawmaker also gave a positive assessment of Ahn Cheol-soo (Charles Ahn), a potential candidate for Seoul mayor in next month's by-election.
"At least he doesn't seem to be pro-North Korea, and although he's critical of large firms, my understanding is that he supports the market economy of a free democratic system," Chung said.
"I believe he could join the GNP ticket," he said, adding that Ahn appears to be well-positioned in the middle of the political spectrum.
Ahn is the founder of South Korea's leading anti-virus software company Ahnlab Inc.
Chung also disclosed a "clash" with Park Geun-hye, former GNP chairwoman and a front-runner for next year's presidential race, that occurred at an inter-Korean friendly football match in September 2002.
"Ahead of the match with North Korea (in Seoul), Park protested to me about the audience waving the South Korean flag (Taegeukgi), instead of a Korean unification flag (favored by the North)," Chung recalled.
"As the (South Korean) supporters shouted 'Daehanminguk' (Republic of Korea), Park again protested to me, saying that people should have been cheering for 'national unification,'" Chung said.
hague@yna.co.kr
Chung, a scion of the conglomerate Hyundai Group, said in his book, "My Challenge, My Passion," that Hyundai officials asked for millions of dollars from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in an apparent bid to grease North Korea's palms ahead of the famous summit. Chung is currently the top shareholder of Hyundai Heavy, South Korea's leading shipbuilder.
"Two days later, I met with senior officials from the presidential office and told them my doubts about whether the secret could be kept. I also told them that they shouldn't serve President Kim Dae-jung in such a way," Chung said in his book, referring to the former president who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts toward reconciliation with North Korea.
The lawmaker added that he later found out that the money was taken from Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., and Kim, before leaving office, put all the blame on Hyundai.
Speaking at a press event for the book in Seoul on Sunday, the lawmaker also gave a positive assessment of Ahn Cheol-soo (Charles Ahn), a potential candidate for Seoul mayor in next month's by-election.
"At least he doesn't seem to be pro-North Korea, and although he's critical of large firms, my understanding is that he supports the market economy of a free democratic system," Chung said.
"I believe he could join the GNP ticket," he said, adding that Ahn appears to be well-positioned in the middle of the political spectrum.
Ahn is the founder of South Korea's leading anti-virus software company Ahnlab Inc.
Chung also disclosed a "clash" with Park Geun-hye, former GNP chairwoman and a front-runner for next year's presidential race, that occurred at an inter-Korean friendly football match in September 2002.
"Ahead of the match with North Korea (in Seoul), Park protested to me about the audience waving the South Korean flag (Taegeukgi), instead of a Korean unification flag (favored by the North)," Chung recalled.
"As the (South Korean) supporters shouted 'Daehanminguk' (Republic of Korea), Park again protested to me, saying that people should have been cheering for 'national unification,'" Chung said.
hague@yna.co.kr
