ID :
65519
Fri, 06/12/2009 - 16:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/65519
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Prosecutors conclude probe into "Park Yeon-cha scandal"
SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) said Friday it has wrapped up its investigation into former Taekwang Industry chairman Park Yeon-cha, arrested on charges of offering bribes to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and scores of politicians and government officials.
The SPO said it indicted Park and 20 others suspected of receiving bribes, but
decided not to disclose details of its investigation into Roh and his family.
Prosecutors, who already declared they were terminating their probe into bribery
allegations involving Roh and Park shortly after Roh committed suicide on May 23,
were expected to come up with details surrounding criminal charges of the late
president and his family.
The investigation has been severely criticized as politically motivated for
targeting Roh and his family, who were suspected of receiving millions of dollars
from Park.
Roh leapt to his death from a mountain cliff near his southern rural home in
Bongha Village, a police probe into his death concluded. He was 62 years old.
Park, in detention since late last year, has now also been charged with offering
kickbacks to 20 people, including ruling and opposition party legislators,
assistants and close associates of Roh and a close friend of President Lee
Myung-bak. The new charges have been added to his earlier indictment.
The 20 people suspected of receiving bribes were also indicted on various charges
of corruption.
The prosecution was earlier expected to announce the outcome of its probe into
allegations involving Roh and his family, but canceled the plan citing possible
infringement on the privacy of the deceased and his bereaved family.
"The prosecution decided not to provide any details of the probe because the case
has been closed and that it could seriously undermine the reputation of innocent
people questioned over the case," a prosecution official said.
Kwon Yang-sook, Roh's wife, was summoned in April for questioning over suspicions
of receiving money from the detained businessman, but was never indicted as the
prosecution believed the money was meant for the former head of state.
Roh's son, Gun-ho, had also been questioned over suspicions of receiving US$6
million from Park, but the prosecution has apparently decided not to chase after
the junior Roh as it earlier said that money, too, was meant to be a kickback for
the late president.
The SPO said it indicted Park and 20 others suspected of receiving bribes, but
decided not to disclose details of its investigation into Roh and his family.
Prosecutors, who already declared they were terminating their probe into bribery
allegations involving Roh and Park shortly after Roh committed suicide on May 23,
were expected to come up with details surrounding criminal charges of the late
president and his family.
The investigation has been severely criticized as politically motivated for
targeting Roh and his family, who were suspected of receiving millions of dollars
from Park.
Roh leapt to his death from a mountain cliff near his southern rural home in
Bongha Village, a police probe into his death concluded. He was 62 years old.
Park, in detention since late last year, has now also been charged with offering
kickbacks to 20 people, including ruling and opposition party legislators,
assistants and close associates of Roh and a close friend of President Lee
Myung-bak. The new charges have been added to his earlier indictment.
The 20 people suspected of receiving bribes were also indicted on various charges
of corruption.
The prosecution was earlier expected to announce the outcome of its probe into
allegations involving Roh and his family, but canceled the plan citing possible
infringement on the privacy of the deceased and his bereaved family.
"The prosecution decided not to provide any details of the probe because the case
has been closed and that it could seriously undermine the reputation of innocent
people questioned over the case," a prosecution official said.
Kwon Yang-sook, Roh's wife, was summoned in April for questioning over suspicions
of receiving money from the detained businessman, but was never indicted as the
prosecution believed the money was meant for the former head of state.
Roh's son, Gun-ho, had also been questioned over suspicions of receiving US$6
million from Park, but the prosecution has apparently decided not to chase after
the junior Roh as it earlier said that money, too, was meant to be a kickback for
the late president.
