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Can prosecutors’ investigations move on from those who formerly held power to those currently in power? The Park Yeon-cha illegal lobbying investigation overcame a major hurdle with the summons and questioning of former President Roh Moo-hyun. After one year of omnidirectional investigation of the previous administration, it has arrived at its “final target.” However, the principal figure in this incident, Taekwang Industrial chairman Park Yeon-cha, distributed money and gifts to ruling and opposition party members alike. If the prosecutors stop here, they will find it difficult to avoid being likened to “hyenas that are only bold when going after dead power.”

Prosecutors are already faced with doubts about their intentions. After they confirmed that Grand National Party lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk, older brother of President Lee Myung-bak, received a request from former Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) presidential secretary for public affairs Choo Boo-kil to smooth over Park’s tax audit, the prosecutors failed to delve into the matter any further.

Another investigation target who serves as a litmus test for the prosecutors’ willingness and ability to investigate is Chun Shin-il, chairman of Sejoong Namo Tour. A university classmate and close associate of President Lee, Chun is suspected of having come to Park’s rescue when the audit of Taekwang Industrial was in full swing.

Chun, who is also chairman of the Korea Wrestling Federation, admitted in a press interview that he received from Park an amount in Chinese yuan equivalent to around 20 million won while in Beijing, ostensibly as support money for athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics. This took place in August 2008, while the tax audit was taking place. Many suspect that it is unlikely Park, who was in dire straits at the time, would have simply given money without strings attached. Chun is also the person who introduced Park Yeon Cha to Grand National Party lawmaker Park Jin, who is also suspected of receiving illegal funds.

Prosecutors are also known to be closely examining the fate of 22 billion won worth of stocks that Chun converted into cash prior to the 2007 presidential election. Chun used money from selling stocks to provide collateral for Lee Myung-bak to pay 3 billion won in special party membership fees.

Prosecutors have stated repeatedly, “If we have no plans to investigate him, why should we bar Chun from leaving the country?” They have asked the public to “wait and see.”

“How can they do only a halfway job in investigating the current administration, when they are investigating former President Roh and even seem ready to indict him?” said one official with the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Another figure named as a necessary target of investigation for allegations of tax audit manipulation is Han Sang-ryul, the former National Tax Service commissioner, who left abruptly for the U.S. just before the investigation entered into full swing.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]