Former Namyang Dairy Products Chairman Hong Won-sik had accused Hahn & Company's President Hahn Sang-won and others of making false promises about giving him an advisory role at the company. But prosecutors have decided not to pursue the case.
Hahn & Co. welcomed the news, saying "The decision supports what we've been claiming all along and reconfirms what the Supreme Court has already ruled on regarding the matter."
They also said, "Former Chairman Hong attempted to damage our reputation by repeatedly making unfounded claims. The prosecution suspected this was to challenge the civil court's decision and rejected the accusations. It is odd that someone facing trial for allegedly embezzling hundreds of billions of won keeps making false statements. Every legal process, from the Supreme Court's civil ruling to this prosecution investigation, has ruled in our favor. "
Last October, Hong filed a complaint claiming Hahn & Co. had promised him and his family advisory positions at Namyang Dairy Products, but did not uphold the promise.
In response, the prosecution determined that the claims made by Hong were unfounded. The prosecution stated, "Based on the claims of the complainant and the submitted materials, it is difficult to see that there was a specific and definitive promise to guarantee an advisory position."
The prosecution also stated, "The complainant claims that there was a specific agreement regarding his position within Namyang Dairy Products, but this contradicts the civil court's judgment. Even Hong himself admitted that there was no actual detailed agreement or contract during the civil suit."
The prosecution further noted, "After filing the complaint, Hong refused to show up when prosecutors summoned him several times, or to provide additional documents. So this left investigators with no evidence to pursue the complaint."