Prosecution Called in Conglomerate Heads Concerning Choi Soon-sil Scandal

It has been found that the prosecution summoned the heads of some South Korean conglomerates with regard to their individual meetings with President Park Geun-hye in July last year.

Those include Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo, Hanwha Group chairman Kim Seung-yeon, SK SUPEX Committee chairman Kim Chang-keun, Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hanjin Group chairman Cho Yang-ho, CJ Group chairman Son Kyeong-shik, SK Group chairman Choi Tae-won and LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo.

Back on July 24, 2015, President Park Geun-hye invited the 17 conglomerate heads including them to her office and asked them to set up a foundation so that the Korean Wave can be better spread. In addition, they had individual meetings with her that day and next day. According to the prosecution, the President encouraged them during the meetings to take part in the Mir Foundation and the K-Sports Foundation.

It seems that the prosecution summoned them, instead of opting for document-based investigation, in view of the public sentiment surrounding the Choi Soon-sil scandal. The prosecution explained that they are simply witnesses for now and, as such, their summoning schedule cannot be open to the public.