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S.Korean ex-president to be quizzed this week

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-27 09:55

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors will summon former President Roh Moo-hyun for questioning this week on suspicion that he took millions of dollars from a detained businessman at the center of a widening corruption scandal, an official said on Sunday.

Prosecutors already questioned Roh's family members, including his wife and son, earlier this month regarding allegations they accepted a total of $6 million from the businessman when Roh served as president in 2003-2008.

Roh has admitted his wife took $1 million from Park Yeon-cha, head of a local shoe manufacturer, but suggested it was not a bribe. He also said he was aware that Park separately gave $5 million to his relative but thought it was merely an investment.

Prosecution spokesman Cho Eun-sok said his team planned to summon Roh on Thursday to investigate whether the $6 million was eventually conveyed to the former president.

"We'll look into whether there is anything he should take responsibility" for, Cho said.

Yonhap news agency reported Sunday that prosecutors will decide quickly whether to have Roh arrested after the questioning. Cho, however, said prosecutors haven't discussed when or whether to seek the arrest of the former leader.

The scandal is a major blow for the ex-president, a former human rights lawyer and liberal politician who took office in 2003 as a reformist with a clean image. His single five-year term ended early last year.

Several of his former aides and associates also have been investigated on suspicion of taking illicit money from Park, who has been detained since being indicted in December on separate bribery and tax evasion charges. Roh's elder brother also was indicted in December for his alleged involvement in a separate bribery scandal.

AP