Prosecutors on Tuesday said $3 million of the money went to a company where Roh Geon-ho was the largest shareholder, and the rest was left in a firm owned by the niece's husband, Yeon Cheol-ho.

Roh Moo-hyun had earlier claimed the $5 million "appeared to have been a good-will gesture" from Park to Yeon, a story Yeon confirms. But now, suspicions are mounting that Yeon was at best a caretaker or business partner.

Prosecutors suspect Roh junior and Yeon agreed to divvy up the money from the moment the latter received the $5 million.

Roh Geon-ho met Park in December 2007, and it was then that prosecutors suspect he asked Park for the money. It was handed over in February 2008.

Former Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff Moon Jae-in, a close associate of Roh senior's, told prosecutors while it is true that he held the money at one stage, he offloaded it before he returned to the U.S. But another close Roh aide earlier said the $5 million has nothing to do with Geon-ho.

(englishnews@chosun.com )