April 24, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors’ Office called in Samsung Electronics President for corporate relations Park Sang-jin again on Nov. 16 over the nation’s largest conglomerate’s alleged involvement in the snowballing presidential scandal.

It was the second time for the Samsung executive to be grilled as a witness for the influence-peddling scandal of President Park Geun-hye and her close confidante Choi Soon-sil. The questioning continued for about 10 hours till midnight. 

Park, who concurrently serves as chairman of the Korea Equestrian Federation, is suspected of being involved with for Choi’s paper firm Widec Sports in Germany by receiving funding worth 3.5 billion won (US$2.99 million) from Samsung Group.

Most of the money was reportedly used to purchase pricey horses and equestrian equipment for Choi’s daughter and former national equestrian athlete Chung Yu-ra.

Choi is also under investigation on suspicions of forcing the nation’s major conglomerates, including Samsung, Hyundai Motor and SK, to offer donations for dubious cultural and sports organizations in return for business favors.

A total of 53 local companies made contributions of about 80 billion won to the Mir Foundation and K-Sports Foundation, set up by Choi and her close associates for the proposed purpose of promoting sports and culture.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)