April 16, 2024
Industrials
Presidential office directed W7b corporate funds to right-wing groups: report
[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Group and other top conglomerates funded right-wing organizations under pressure from the presidential office, a local daily reported on Jan. 31.
According to the daily Hankyoreh, the independent counsel has secured evidence that up to 7 billion won (US$6 million) flowing into right-wing groups from the country’s top four conglomerates -- Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG -- since 2014.
Of the four, Samsung Group allegedly provided the largest. The report also claimed that the office of the Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs met regularly with an executive of Samsung and Federation of Korean Industries’ deputy chief Lee Seung-cheol to discuss funding for the right-wing organizations.
The report also said that the independent counsel believes that former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon was deeply involved in the process.
The right-wing groups that allegedly received funding through this route include the Korea Parent Federation and the Korean Disabled Veteran’s Association by Agent Orange in Vietnam War, which have staged pro-government rallies.
The issues supported by the nongovernmental organizations include state-authored history textbooks and labor reform plans of the Park Geun-hye administration. The organizations have also staged rallies opposing those alleging irregularities in the government’s response to the Sewol ferry disaster.
By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)
According to the daily Hankyoreh, the independent counsel has secured evidence that up to 7 billion won (US$6 million) flowing into right-wing groups from the country’s top four conglomerates -- Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG -- since 2014.
Of the four, Samsung Group allegedly provided the largest. The report also claimed that the office of the Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs met regularly with an executive of Samsung and Federation of Korean Industries’ deputy chief Lee Seung-cheol to discuss funding for the right-wing organizations.
The report also said that the independent counsel believes that former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon was deeply involved in the process.
The right-wing groups that allegedly received funding through this route include the Korea Parent Federation and the Korean Disabled Veteran’s Association by Agent Orange in Vietnam War, which have staged pro-government rallies.
The issues supported by the nongovernmental organizations include state-authored history textbooks and labor reform plans of the Park Geun-hye administration. The organizations have also staged rallies opposing those alleging irregularities in the government’s response to the Sewol ferry disaster.
By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)
