Prosecutors currently investigating allegations of witness coaching raised during the probe into the "SSANGBANGWOOL remittance to North Korea case" summoned former SSANGBANGWOOL Chairman Kim Sung-tae, a key figure, on the 8th. The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office human rights infringement inspection task force (TF) began questioning Kim around 10 a.m. that day as a suspect on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust in the course of duty and is under investigation.
As Kim appeared for questioning, when asked by reporters whether he had provided money or valuables to buy off Ahn Bu-su, head of the Asia-Pacific Peace Exchange Association, he said, "What is there to buy?" Regarding "whether alcohol was brought into the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office interview room," he answered, "No," and he also denied allegations of attempting to sway former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young, saying, "What is there to sway that I would try to sway?"
Prosecutors confirmed allegations that SSANGBANGWOOL provided money and favors to sway Ahn, a key witness in the remittance to North Korea trial, in questioning Kim that day. Prosecutors believe that from March 2023 for about 2 years and 8 months, SSANGBANGWOOL provided an officetel to Ahn's daughter and paid her rent and deposit on her behalf, delivering 72.8 million won in this way.
Allegations that Ahn's daughter was falsely hired by a SSANGBANGWOOL affiliate and was paid 27.05 million won in the form of salary are also under investigation. Prosecutors determined that SSANGBANGWOOL provided such support to influence Ahn's statements and testimony. After being detained in Nov. 2022, Ahn denied any connection with Gyeonggi Province in the early trials, but three months later in court reversed his testimony, saying he had heard of a request for travel-to-North-Korea expense through a North Korean contact.
In addition, prosecutors investigated allegations that on May 17, 2023, during questioning at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, salmon and soju were brought in to sway Lee, the former vice governor, and others. After questioning the prosecutor in charge at the time as a reference witness on the 30th of last month, prosecutors on the 6th summoned former SSANGBANGWOOL Vice Chairman Bang Yong-cheol and the day before summoned a former SSANGBANGWOOL director, a person surnamed Park, in succession to verify the facts.