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The Supreme Prosecutors¡¯ Office on Monday questioned Hyundai Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo. The chairman was grilled over his role in creating slush funds, bribing officials to write off debts of the group¡¯s affiliates, and hiring middleman Kim Jae-rok to illegally lobby politicians for favors. Prosecutors also questioned Chung about suspicions that the group created slush funds through affiliates such as Kia Motors, Hyundai Mobis, Wia, Glovis and Hyundai Autonet.
Chung reportedly admitted some of suspicions, telling prosecutors he was ¡°roughly briefed¡± on the creation and use of the slush funds but had no knowledge of details.
On arriving at the prosecutors¡¯ office in the morning, the chairman of Korea¡¯s largest motor group apologized to the public and promised to cooperate sincerely with the investigation. But he did not answer reporters who asked if he was involved in creating slush funds.
Prosecutors will decide who to detain and what punishment to seek by the end of this week. Senior Prosecutor Chae Dong-wook indicated there was evidence of Chung¡¯s involvement in the corruption scandal. ¡°Since slush funds and other corporate illegal activities are important in business management, it is impossible that Chung as chairman did not know about them,¡± Chae said. But he added discussions who to detain are ongoing ¡°to reach the right decision.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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