[THE INVESTOR] Cheil Worldwide President Kim Jae-youl was questioned on Dec. 29 by the special counsel in connection with Samsung Group’s alleged involvement in the presidential scandal.
Kim is the son-in-law of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
He is suspected of having played a part in Samsung Electronics’ donation of about 1.62 billion won (US$1.34 million) to the Korea Winter Sports Elite Center under pressure from Jang Si-ho, and former Vice Culture Minister Kim Chong. Jang is a niece of Choi Soon-sil, the key suspect in the scandal, and is accused of being an accomplice of Choi’s crimes.
Kim Jae-yeol attends a parliamentary hearing early this month. |
The special counsel is said to be focusing on determining Samsung Electronics’ motives for supporting Jang’s Korea Winter Sports Elite Center. At the parliamentary hearing on Dec. 7, Kim had testified that he had felt pressured by Kim Chong to support the center.
Kim, however, denied allegations that the money was provided in return for favors from the government.
Samsung Group has also been implicated in the scandal over the National Pension Service’s alleged part in the Samsung C&T-Cheil Industries merger.
The NPS has been accused of approving the merger under the direction of Moon Hyung-pyo, former NPS chief and minister of health. Moon was taken into custody on Dec. 28, and the special counsel is seeking an arrest warrant over the allegations.
By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)