President Hong Doo Pyo of KNTO Arrested

The Seoul District Prosecutor's Office arrested Hong Doo Pyo, president of the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO), on charges of receiving a bribe of 100 million won.
According to prosecutors, Mr. Hong received a bribe from Choi Soon Young, Chairman of the Korea Life Insurance Co., in December 1996 when he was president of the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS).
Mr. Choi reportedly asked Mr. Hong to prevent KBS from covering any negative aspects of Korea Life or its affiliates at that time.
He also called for Mr. Hong to steer as much of KBS' retirement fund money as possible to Korea Life.
Prosecutor said that Mr. Choi had given one hundred checks of one million won each to Mr. Hong to evade a search of his bank accounts.
Mr. Hong conceded that he had received the money, but he alleges that the money had been given to him without any expectation of anything in return, as the money was just a personal gift.

Jangsoo Seo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr