Prosecution ends questioning of ex-President Roh

From: The Korea Herald | May. 01, 2009

The prosecution ended its questioning of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who denied involvement in corruption scandals surrounding his family members in some 10 hours of probe on Thursday, according to Yonhap News.

The former president was grilled over suspicions that he, his wife and son received millions of dollars in bribes from a businessman.

Roh denied the allegations and refused to be cross-examined with Park Yeon-cha, the businessmen suspected of giving money to the former first family and their relatives.

The prosecution's probe ended abruptly, shortly before midnight Friday, as Roh-Park questioning was foiled.

Investigators said they will consider summoning Roh's wife, Kwon Yang-sook, for the second time to ask about her monetary transactions with Park. The prosecution is expected to complete an internal report over the weekend and decide next week whether to indict the former president.

Roh presented himself at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul Thursday afternoon, becoming the nation's third former president to be summoned by the prosecution. Former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were both convicted in 1995 of receiving bribes and inciting a mutiny. Both were sentenced to death, but were pardoned in 1997 by then President Kim Young-sam.

"I am deeply ashamed before my fellow citizens. I am sorry to have disappointed you," said Roh Thursday before embarking on his trip to Seoul from his home in Gimhae, some 400 km southeast of the capital.

Park has allegedly provided US$5 million to Yeon Cheol-ho, a son-in-law of Roh's brother, part of which went to Roh's son, Gun-ho, according to prosecutors.