Former newspaper head skips questioning

Ex JoongAng Ilbo president in probe about murky deals

Hong Seok-hyun, former president of the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, did not show up at the Seoul Prosecutor’s Office for questioning related to his involvement in murky financial transactions with Samsung Everland, Inc.

"Hong was supposed to appear at the prosecution’s office for questioning earlier in the day in relation to [his dealings with] top amusement park operator Samsung Everland," said a high ranking official at the prosecution, who asked not to be named. "But he did not appear, and did not cite any particular reason" for his absence.

"He did not even mention when he would appear later for questioning. He virutally rejected the prosecution’s summon," the official said.

The prosecution has also planned to summon Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Group.

Hong is suspected of having engaged in murky financial transactions when JoongAng Ilbo, a shareholder of Everland, allegedly gave up taking over Everland’s convertible bonds in December 1996 in return for receiving newpaper shares held by Chairman Lee, the prosecution says.