Prosecutors have launched a surprise investigation into allegations of hidden slush funds and tax evasion involving the family of the late former President Roh Tae-woo.
According to legal sources on August 21, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Proceeds Recovery Division, led by Chief Prosecutor So Jeong-soo, dispatched prosecutors and investigators to secure financial documents and accounting records from Roh's residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, where his wife, Kim Ok-sook, resides, as well as from related individuals and foundation offices.
The search targets include not only Kim's residence but also the East Asia Culture Foundation, where Roh's son, Ambassador Roh Jae-hun, serves as chairman, and the Roh Tae-woo Center.
Additionally, prosecutors are reportedly conducting searches at the homes of former secretaries who are suspected of providing accounts for the creation and management of slush funds during Roh's administration, collecting relevant financial transaction records.
This investigation was prompted by revelations of previously undisclosed slush fund evidence during the appeals process of a divorce lawsuit between Roh's daughter, Roh So-young, director of the Art Center Nabi, and Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group.
During the proceedings, Roh's side submitted photographs of six promissory notes worth 5 billion won along with a so-called 'Kim Ok-sook memo' to prove her mother's contribution to the formation of SK Group's assets.
The memo reportedly details a financial flow of 90.4 billion won and its recipients. Roh's side claims that 30 billion won from Roh Tae-woo was transferred to Choi Jong-hyun, the former chairman of SK Group, and that this money played a crucial role in major management activities and business expansions of the SK Group, formerly known as the Sunkyong Group.
As these slush fund details emerged during the trial, civic groups such as the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the Military Regime Crimes Recovery Committee expressed strong opposition.
These organizations stated, 'The hidden criminal proceeds that were overlooked during the past confiscation process must be immediately recovered by the state, and a thorough investigation into money laundering and tax evasion allegations is necessary.' They filed a complaint against Kim, Roh, and Ambassador Roh for violations of the Act on the Regulation of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds and tax evasion.
Following the complaint, prosecutors have been reviewing foundational materials and relevant legal principles, and with the commencement of this search, they plan to thoroughly investigate the authenticity of the 'Kim Ok-sook memo,' the timing of its creation, the actual sources and distribution of the funds, and any tax omissions.
Once the analysis of the seized items is completed, prosecutors will sequentially summon members of Roh's family and key individuals involved in the creation and management of the slush funds to investigate the nature and circumstances of the funds.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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