Draft-dodge case missing key witness

The investigation of the alleged draft dodging of the son of the Grand National Party's presidential candidate, Lee Hoi-chang, will likely be prolonged as the central witness, Kim Do-sul, has absconded.

Earlier, Kim Dae-eop, who dredged up the controversy, told reporters when submitting the recorded tape to the prosecution that it contained a testimony from Kim Do-sul, then a military officer at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, that would prove the military exemption of Mr. Lee's son. Kim Do-sul immediately denied the accusation, insisting that the voice on the tape was fabricated.

Further, Kim Dae-eop claimed that the military officer's testimony was recorded during a personal inquiry during a joint investigation by the prosecution and military in 1999. Kim Do-sul again disputed the accusation, noting that he was never personally questioned by Kim Dae-eop.

But at an interview with a local daily Thursday, Kim Do-sul took back his earlier assertion and stated that the voice on the tape might be his. A military prosecutor, who participated in the joint investigation between 1998 and 1999, testified that Kim Dae-eop had personally interrogated Kim Do-sul.

Kim Do-sul also backed down on his claim that he had never met Mr. Lee's wife and confessed that he had testified during the joint investigation. Apparently, he had received 20 million won ($17,000) from a woman whose name was the same as Mr. Lee's wife, Han In-ok.

The prosecution requested that Kim Do-sul, who is currently staying in Los Angeles, return to Seoul, but the former military officer warned of taking flight if the authority prosecutes him on other charges of bribery regarding military exemption.

Since Thursday, Kim Do-sul could not be reached.

by Chang Chung-hoon