Chun Shin-il summoned in case involving bribery
Published: 01 Dec. 2010, 21:01
Chun Shin-il, chairman of Sejoong Namo Tour, appears at the Prosecutors’ Office yesterday for questioning. [NEWSIS]
“I will reveal everything to the prosecutors,” Chun told reporters before turning himself in to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at 9:50 a.m.
Chun refused to answer journalists’ questions as he and his attorney headed to the prosecutors’ office.
Chun, 67, is suspected of pocketing 4 billion won ($3.47 million) in bribes from Lee Su-wu, head of Imcheon Industry Co., between 2005 and 2008.
Imcheon Industry Co. is a subcontractor of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, and prosecutors believe Lim offered the money to Chun in return for helping his company get loans from banks and avoid tax investigations.
Prosecutors have already obtained testimony from Lee that he paid visits to Chun’s residence in Seongbuk-dong, northern Seoul, several times and offered a total of 2.6 billion won in cash to Chun in 2008. Prosecutors also obtained evidence that an accounting clerk of Imcheon Industry Co. withdrew a large sum of money days before Lee visited Chun’s house.
Prosecutors plan to seek a warrant to arrest Chun on bribery charges after they question him over whether he received the money and whether he actually wielded influence to pressure local banks to approve loans for the cash-troubled Imcheon.
Chun went abroad on Aug. 19 after prosecutors began investigating Imcheon Industry Co. and didn’t return until Tuesday. Chun has rejected prosecutors’ summons three times, citing health reasons.
Prosecutors on Oct. 28 raided his company, Sejoong Namo Tour, to secure evidence and had demanded Chun’s return to Korea.
By Kim Mi-ju [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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