Prosecutors were questioning former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun yesterday over his alleged involvement in a high-profile corruption scandal that has tarnished his image as a “clean” politician.
Roh, president from 2003 until last year, is accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes from a Seoul businessman while in office.
Prosecutors questioned Roh’s family members, including his wife and son, earlier this month regarding allegations that they accepted US$6 million from the businessman.
Roh has acknowledged his wife took US$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 gave another US$5 million to a relative but thought it was merely an investment.
The former president “was making his points well” during questioning and has not exercised his right to refuse to testify, senior prosecutor Hong Man-pyo said in a statement released by his office two hours after the interrogation began.
“So far, the probe has been conducted smoothly,” Hong said.
It was not clear yesterday whether Roh will be arrested or indicted. Prosecutors haven’t discussed whether to seek his arrest following the questioning, prosecution spokesman Cho Eun-sok said.
The scandal is a major blow for Roh, a former human rights lawyer and liberal politician who took office in 2003 as a reformist with a clean image in a country that has struggled to move past a traditional culture of corruption.
Roh earlier apologized to South Koreans for the scandal, bowing as supporters chanted his name.
“I have no face to show to the people. I am sorry for disappointing you,” an emotional-looking Roh told reporters as he departed for Seoul from his home in rural Gimhae, about 350km southeast of the capital.
South Korean officials typically apologize when implicated in allegations of wrongdoing, but it does not necessarily mean they acknowledge the claims as true.
Roh arrived by bus early yesterday afternoon for questioning, refusing to answer reporters’ questions before going into the prosecutor’s office. Questioning was expected to last late into the night or even stretch into early this morning.
Prosecutors have said they would try to determine whether the businessman’s US$6 million was eventually conveyed to Roh.
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