Tiger Pools chief hints at Lee bribe

The head of Tiger Pools International has hinted that Choi Gyu-seon bribed Lee Hoi-chang, the Grand National Party presidential candidate, the Seoul District Prosecutors Office reported Wednesday.

Sul Hoon, a ruling Millennium Democratic Party legislator, accused Mr. Lee last month of accepting 250 million won ($195,000) from Mr. Choi last December. Mr. Choi allegedly profited illegally from helping the CEO of Tiger Pools, Song Jae-bin, win the right to operate a national sports lottery.

Representative Yoon Yeo-joon, also of the GNP, reportedly delivered the bribe.

"Song Jae-bin told us that in March Mr. Choi said he had 'insurance' with the Grand National Party," a prosecutor said, referring to the Tiger Pools CEO.

Mr. Choi also reportedly bragged to an associate about his close relationship with Mr. Lee's eldest son and that he may be appointed special secretary for the opposition party.

Kim Hee-wan, a former vice mayor for political affairs with the Seoul Metropolitan Government who allegedly delivered bribes for Tiger Pools and Mr. Choi, reportedly told prosecutors he helped plan Mr. Lee's recent visit to the United States and, through Mr. Yoon, gave him $20,000 for "travel expenses."

The prosecutors office said Mr. Choi admitted during questioning Tuesday that he arranged meetings with prominent figures in the United States for Mr. Lee, but denied bribing the politician.

Mr. Sul, who was summoned by prosecutors May 4, reportedly insisted during questioning that Mr. Song and Hwang In-don, the brother-in-law of Kim Hong-gul, President Kim Dae-jung's youngest son, knew about Mr. Choi's alleged bribe to Mr. Lee.

Prosecutors said they may summon Mr. Yoon for questioning. Mr. Yoon denied the allegations and said he would resign his National Assembly seat if he took any money from Mr. Choi.

by Kim Won-bae