Police Detain Four on Suspicion of Bribery Involving Fisheries Businessmen... 12 Others Questioned as Witnesses

"If Necessary, Investigate Famous Individuals Mentioned in Allegations"

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency file photo / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police investigating the alleged collusion among prosecutors, police, and media involving a self-proclaimed fisheries businessman have confirmed that a total of four people have been booked as suspects so far. The police added that if necessary, they plan to investigate famous figures mentioned in the allegations.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing on the 5th, "So far, four people have been booked as suspects," and added, "Summons investigations for these individuals are scheduled to be arranged soon." The police also explained that they have questioned 12 people as witnesses to ascertain the facts.

Last month, the police booked some journalists, including Lee Dong-hoon, former spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and former editorial writer at Chosun Ilbo, on charges of receiving hundreds of thousands of won worth of money and gifts from fisheries businessman Mr. A.

Prior to this, the police also booked B Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office and the former head of Pohang Southern Police Station on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and conducted a search and seizure of B Chief Prosecutor’s office.

Additionally, the police explained that regarding the fraud charges amounting to around 10 billion won related to Mr. A, which triggered the investigation into the money and gift allegations, they first obtained intelligence on February 3rd and conducted an investigation, forwarding the case to the prosecution on April 2nd. The investigation into the money and gift entertainment allegations began around April 1st, near the conclusion of the fraud investigation.

The police stated that if necessary, investigations into individuals whose names are circulating in the media regarding the allegations may also be conducted. It has been revealed that among the victims of Mr. A’s fraud is the elder brother of former lawmaker Kim Moo-sung. The police said, "We will investigate as much as necessary, but we cannot explain future plans."

Meanwhile, regarding Park Young-soo, the special prosecutor for the 'National Scandal,' who has been implicated in the allegations through the media, the police said, "Fact verification comes first, and we need to see if the law applies," adding, "Some of the media allegations are incorrect."

Special Prosecutor Park is suspected of having received a Porsche vehicle from Mr. Kim in December last year. In response, Park’s side acknowledged having met Mr. Kim two to three times for meals after meeting him through a former journalist three years ago but denied the money and gift entertainment allegations, stating that the 2.5 million won rental cost for the Porsche was fully reimbursed to Mr. Kim.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.