In a press conference, Chyung said that he sent those who came to him with campaign funds to Lee, and also handed over to Lee the W200 million he received from Goodmorning City. Chyung's statement is expected to stir up a controversy over the party's campaign funds.

During the election in spring 2002 for a new MDP leader, Chyung gave about W600-700 million to his campaign manager, Park Jung-hoon. But the limit for donations had already been reached, so no receipt was made for the transfer. Chyung said that other candidates went over the limit, using up to W1-2 billion in their campaigns.

Earlier, in an MDP general meeting, Chyung admitted receiving a total of W400 million from the president of Goodmorning City, Yoon Chang-yeol. Chyung said that of that amount, he received about W200 million for his campaigns right before the presidential elections last year, W100 million was used to sponsor the party, W50 million went to his supporters association and the other W50 was given to the central party's accountants but had not been processed yet.

Chyung explained that Yoon came to his house right before he ran for party leader last year and gave him about W200 million. That money was handed over to Park, but no receipt was drawn up. Chyung also received as donations from Goodmorning City W10 million in October 2001 and another W10 million in April 2002, and receipts were drawn up.

Chyung insisted that no favors were asked in return for the money and that it took a while for him to acknowledge the transfers because of the time needed to verify this information.

(Kim Chang-gyun, ck-kim@chosun.com ) (Kim Chang-gyun, ck-kim@chosun.com )