Ahn Dae-hee, head of the Central Investigation Dept., said, "We have proof that the W300 million given to then-presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun by three Samsung officials, who sent the money in their own names, was from slush funds." The funds were traced through bank accounts, and are assumed to be different than the ones provided by Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Ahn said.

Prosecutors summoned and interrogated Ahn Bok-hyun, the chairman of Cheil Industries Inc., and Lee Dae-won, the consultant vice president of Samsung Heavy Industries, on Friday and Saturday. The prosecutors are also planning to summon Soh Byung-hae, a senior advisor to Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, early this week. The officials are already restricted from leaving the country. Prosecutors are also planning to summon Lee Hak-su, the Samsung group's chairman of restructuring, as early as this week.

Prosecutors will also summon Hyundai Motors’ general vice president Kim Dong-jin, who is currently prohibited from leaving the country.

Prosecutors have also confirmed that a clan association of Jeonju-based families with the surname Lee directly gave around W100 million to the Grand National Party (GNP) during last year's elections without passing the funds, through a formal aid association.

Meanwhile, on the corruption scandals surrounding the key aides of President Roh, the prosecutors are to summon Changshin Textile Co president Kang Keun-won, on Monday. Kang was one of Roh’s biggest supporters in the Busan area. On Tuesday, the prosecutors are to summon Seon Bong-sul, the former president of Jangsoocheon, a bottled-water company Roh used to own. Both Kang and Seon are likely to be prosecuted.

Prosecutors are also to issue warrants or indictments soon for the following people, who were involved in the Hyundai’s provision of slush funds: GNP members Park Joo-cheon, Lim Jin-chool, MDP members Park Joo-sun, Lee Hoon-pyung, and Gwangju mayor Park Kwang-tae. (Ahn Yong-hyun, justice@chosun.com )