ID :
205776
Wed, 09/07/2011 - 12:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/205776
The shortlink copeid
(LEAD) Arrest warrant sought for Seoul education chief
(ATTN: RECASTS lead, UPDATES para 2-5 with prosecution filing for arrest warrant)
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- After two days of intense interrogation, prosecutors on Wednesday filed for an arrest warrant for the Seoul education chief on charges of bribing a rival candidate to drop out of last year's election.
Kwak No-hyun, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, returned home early Wednesday after undergoing a second day of marathon interrogation by prosecutors that lasted more than 14 hours.
The overnight questioning followed a 16-hour-long interrogation the previous day over allegations that Kwak gave 200 million won (US$186,776) to Park Myoung-gee, a rival candidate from the same liberal bloc who quit in the middle of the race.
Prosecutors suspect that the money was in return for Park's withdrawal from the election, which contributed to Kwak's election victory. Kwak had allegedly promised a total of 700 million won in a secret deal with the college professor, charges the education superintendent consistently denied.
In a bid to take Kwak into custody for further interrogation, the prosecution requested late Wednesday that the court issue a warrant against him. A court hearing on the prosecution's request is expected before this weekend.
During the two recent interrogation sessions, Kwak consistently denied prosecutors' accusations that he had a secret agreement with Park to provide financial reward for his withdrawal, according to prosecutors. The superintendent previously said the money was only given as a gesture of "goodwill" for Park, who was suffering heavy debts from the election campaign.
Kwak also refuted charges that he used public funds to bankroll the monetary gift to Park, saying he personally raised the funds by borrowing from family members and friends, prosecutors noted.
"The superintendent sincerely responded (to prosecutors' questions) with all he knew without concealing anything," Kim Jin-wook, a lawyer for Kwak, told reporters following the interrogation that ended around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The charges against Kwak could lead to a maximum seven-year prison term or a fine of up to 30 million won, punishments that would be heavy enough to strip the superintendent of his position.
In that case, the vice education superintendent would take over as acting Seoul education chief while Kwak stood trial.
The prosecution is also considering indicting a few of Kwak's close aides for their role in the alleged financial transactions during and after the election.
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- After two days of intense interrogation, prosecutors on Wednesday filed for an arrest warrant for the Seoul education chief on charges of bribing a rival candidate to drop out of last year's election.
Kwak No-hyun, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, returned home early Wednesday after undergoing a second day of marathon interrogation by prosecutors that lasted more than 14 hours.
The overnight questioning followed a 16-hour-long interrogation the previous day over allegations that Kwak gave 200 million won (US$186,776) to Park Myoung-gee, a rival candidate from the same liberal bloc who quit in the middle of the race.
Prosecutors suspect that the money was in return for Park's withdrawal from the election, which contributed to Kwak's election victory. Kwak had allegedly promised a total of 700 million won in a secret deal with the college professor, charges the education superintendent consistently denied.
In a bid to take Kwak into custody for further interrogation, the prosecution requested late Wednesday that the court issue a warrant against him. A court hearing on the prosecution's request is expected before this weekend.
During the two recent interrogation sessions, Kwak consistently denied prosecutors' accusations that he had a secret agreement with Park to provide financial reward for his withdrawal, according to prosecutors. The superintendent previously said the money was only given as a gesture of "goodwill" for Park, who was suffering heavy debts from the election campaign.
Kwak also refuted charges that he used public funds to bankroll the monetary gift to Park, saying he personally raised the funds by borrowing from family members and friends, prosecutors noted.
"The superintendent sincerely responded (to prosecutors' questions) with all he knew without concealing anything," Kim Jin-wook, a lawyer for Kwak, told reporters following the interrogation that ended around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The charges against Kwak could lead to a maximum seven-year prison term or a fine of up to 30 million won, punishments that would be heavy enough to strip the superintendent of his position.
In that case, the vice education superintendent would take over as acting Seoul education chief while Kwak stood trial.
The prosecution is also considering indicting a few of Kwak's close aides for their role in the alleged financial transactions during and after the election.
