Investigation into NIS political activities nearing its end

Former South Korean presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye

Prosecutors are still waiting to question former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak

Former South Korean presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye

An investigation into political and election interference by state agencies is reaching into the highest echelons four months after being requested on Aug. 21 by the National Intelligence Service’s Reform and Advancement Committee.

Observers with or close to the prosecutors say much of the investigation has already concluded, apart from questioning former presidents Lee Myung-bak, 76, and Park Geun-hye, 65, who are suspected of giving final approval and orders for the criminal activities.

The NIS investigation team with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, which is investigating military and NIS interference in politics during the Lee administration (2008–13), delivered a second indictment on Dec. 7 against former NIS director Won Sei-hoon, 66. Its move is seen as raising the likelihood of questioning of Lee as Won’s “higher-up” at the time.

The investigation resulted in Won being charged with misappropriation of treasury funds according to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes for allegedly appropriating 6.5 billion won (US$5.98 million) while managing a “peripheral civilian team.”

He also appears likely to face a third indictment for individual crimes, including his alleged appropriation of US$2 million in NIS money to prepare for overseas study after leaving the directorship and 1 billion won (US$920,000) in overseas operation funds. With Won consistently denying allegations that he acted on orders from Lee, the question of whether he changes his approach or accepts the possibility of additional charges against him is predicted to be a key variable affecting the course of the investigation.

With the investigation into alleged election inference by the military’s Cyber Command, Lee’s involvement was initially seen as easier to prove than in the NIS investigation due to evidence in the form of documents recording “areas of VIP [presidential] emphasis.” But the mood with the investigation team has darkened since former Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin, 68 – seen as a “stepping stone” to Lee – was freed in an arrest suitability review and an arrest warrant was refused for former Blue House external strategy planning officer Kim Tae-hyo, 50, who is viewed as one of Lee’s closest associates. The team is now reviewing whether it can even question and indict Lee on the currently gathered evidence.

Also drawing attention is an investigation into allegations that Lee enlisted state agencies into the process of the automobile parts company DAS receiving back 14.0 billion won (US$12.9 million) from Kim Kyung-joon under suspicious circumstances. If Lee finds himself facing questions on various issues at the same time, the schedule of the DAS investigation could affect the timing and methods of his summons.

Another key area under investigation is a “whitelist” of pro-government groups selected for support under the Park administration (2013–16). So far, the investigation has shown the Blue House enlisted corporations to provide 6.5 billion won (US$5.98 million) in support to pro-government groups and ask them to hold demonstrations in support of the administration.

Heo Hyeon-joon, the 48-year-old former Blue House administrative officer in charge of practical duties, has been arrested and indicted; former Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs Cho Yoon-sun, 50, was questioned on Dec. 10 as a suspect. Prosecutors also plan to question former Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon, 78, in connect with the allegations.

The whitelist investigation also showed Park to have received 4 billion won (US$3.7 million) from the NIS. Former NIS directors Nam Jae-joon, 73, and Lee Byung-kee, 70, have been arrested and indicted for providing the funds, while former Blue House secretaries Ahn Bong-geun and Lee Jae-man, 51, have been arrested and indicted for serving as the “bagmen.”

Prosecutors are currently weighing when and how to question Park, who is currently confined to a detention center.

　

By Kim Yang-jin, staff reporter

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