Prosecutors yesterday put an end to their seven-month investigation into bribery involving former President Roh Moo-hyun by indicting 21 people implicated in the scandal.
The Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors` Office announced the results of the investigation into allegations that Park Yeon-cha, a key financial supporter of Roh, had given money to a wide range of politicians and government officials in return for business favors.
It refrained from listing the details of their findings on the deceased president, saying that part of the investigation was terminated upon Roh`s suicide on May 23.
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Park, former chairman of shoemaker Tae Kwang Industry, was relieved of the charge he had offered $6.4 million won to Roh`s family members.
The list of those indicted included key politicians such as former National Assembly speakers Park Kwan-yong and Kim Won-ki.
Reps. Park Jin and Kim Chung-kwon of the ruling Grand National Party and Reps. Suh Gab-won and Choi Chul-kook of the main opposition Democratic Party were also on the list.
Former police chief Lee Taek-soon, prosecutor Kim Jong-ro of the Busan High Prosecutors` Office and Vice Seoul Mayor Lee Sang-cheol were also indicted.
Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Tae-ho and former senior Chong Wa Dae secretary Lee Jong-chan were exempted from indictment.
Since Park was arrested last December for bribery and tax evasion, several politicians and businessmen have been accused of taking bribes from him.
Roh and his family were also implicated in the scandal and Roh himself was summoned by the prosecution on April 30.
However, Roh committed suicide amid the ongoing investigation, and the prosecution was largely accused of taking political revenge on the former administration.
"We investigated Roh and his family members in regard to their involvement in Park Yeon-cha`s bribery allegations only," said a prosecutorial official. "We abided by the law and our investigation principles in questioning those involved in the case, regardless of their social or political status."
Prosecutors also emphasized that they treated the former president with sufficient respect throughout all processes of the investigation.
Aides to Roh and others who blamed the prosecution for Roh`s suicide rebuffed the stance of the prosecution.
"The prosecution must not insult the deceased by justifying their investigation," said DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun during a meeting with reporters prior to the prosecutorial announcement.
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By Bae Hyun-jung