April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] South Korean prosecutors on Nov. 17 questioned a former presidential secretary for allegedly forcing CJ Group vice chairwoman to step down, in a widening probe into the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office brought Cho Won-dong, a former senior presidential economic secretary under the president from 2013 to 2014, as a suspect in the snowballing case. 

"I will tell the prosecutors everything," Cho told reporters before entering the prosecutors' office. "

Cho is alleged to have pressed CJ Group to fire Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee, also known as Lee Mie-kyung, who is elder sister of Chairman  Lee Jay-hyun, saying it was the will of the president.

While his brother was serving time in prison for embezzlement at the time, their uncle Soh Kyung-shik took the helm of the food and entertainment giant.

Earlier, a local broadcaster disclosed a recorded telephone conversation where Cho warned Sohn that the group could be investigated by the prosecution if Lee, the vice chairwoman, didn’t step down.

Lee who oversaw the entertainment and film arm of the group, had vexed the current administration for airing TV shows and film with left-wing leanings or satirizing the president.

She then eventually left to the US, taking a break from her managerial role in 2014, saying it was due to health issues.

The questioning arrives three days after the prosecution raided Cho’s residence in Seoul and confiscated his cell phone, computer and personal documents. Prosecutors plan to grill Cho to see whether the president ordered him to interfere in the CJ Group’s management.

Cho is also accused of taking part in the appointment of POSCO CEO Kwon Oh-joon.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)