The high-tech crime division of Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on Monday said ex-presidential officials testified they were told directly by former president Roh Moo-hyun to copy the documents. Prosecutors said they cannot conclude their probe without investigating Roh.

But Roh apparently does not want to talk to prosecutors, and summoning him is out of the question given the respect due a former president.

Prosecutors said they need to hear directly from the former president why the entire Cheong Wa Dae intranet and work system was copied and spirited to Bongha Village, Roh’s retirement home. But they are reluctant to turn up uninvited.

Another option prosecutors are considering is to interview him in writing. But in that case, they will have to review the written interview and then conduct additional interviews to substantiate it. And if that is not satisfactory, they may have to visit him for questioning after all.

Prosecutors have compared the documents handed over to the National Archives of Korea with the copies Roh took with him to Bongha Village and checked if any leaks happened. The investigation results could therefore be announced as soon as Roh has been questioned.

(englishnews@chosun.com )