Hyundai Motor Co chairman Chung Mong-koo returned to South Korea from a six-day business trip to the US, after prosecutors repeatedly called for his return to answer questions in an investigation into allegations of bribes for government favors.
"I am sorry to the public to have caused concern," the chairman of South Korea's largest auto-making business group said as he arrived at the Seoul airport at around 5am yesterday morning on a Korean Air Lines flight from Los Angeles.
The Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office has been calling for Chung's return since he left, prompting them on April 4 to prohibit his son, Kia Motors Corp president Chung Eui-sun, from traveling abroad.
Prosecutors are looking into dealings between Hyundai Motor, its affiliates and Kim Jae-rok, arrested on March 24 on charges of channeling funds to lobby government officials. Prosecutors say they are investigating whether the affiliates secured favors, including planning approvals for buildings and plant expansions.
Last month, they raided the offices of Hyundai, Kia and affiliated logistics company Glovis Co.
According to prosecutors, Glovi president Lee Ju-eun is in custody awaiting trial on charges of embezzlement, according to prosecutors. Hyundai Motor is South Korea's largest automaker and affiliate Kia is the second-biggest.
Regarding Kim, Chung Mong-koo yesterday said that he remembered "shaking hands with him in passing."
Chung was surrounded by about 200 Hyundai Motor employees and officials who scuffled with more than 100 reporters who had gathered at the airport to interview the business mogul.
"We won't take him in for questioning the moment he arrives," Chae Dong-wook, the chief prosecutor in the case, said on Friday. "We plan to decide on a date after discussing the matter with investigators."
A request for subpoenas for Chung and his son "to verify the use of funds by Hyundai Motor companies" is being considered by prosecutors, Chae said on April 6. They have yet to decide who to question first, he said on Friday.
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