[Photo] Former NIS directors appear in court over special activity funds scandal

Three former NIS directors appeared at the first hearing of their trial at the Seoul Central District Court on Mar. 15. Nam Jae-Joon, Lee Byung-kee, and Lee Byung-ho appeared before the court on charges stemming from allegedly diverting NIS special activity funds to a slush fund controlled by former president Park Geun-hye. The three men issued a public apology, but denied the allegations, saying that they thought the payments were necessary to maintain a proper functioning of the government. Prosecutors allege that Nam was responsible for making 600 million won (US$560,000) in illegal payments, that Lee Byung-kee diverted 800 million won (US$750,000), and that Lee Byung-ho was responsible for diverting 2.1 billion won (US$1.97 million). (by Baek So-ah, staff reporter)