Ex-special counsel in former president case grilled by police for alleged graft

Former special counsel Park Young-soo / Yonhap

A former special counsel who investigated a corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye was summoned by police Saturday for questioning over alleged graft, according to officials.

Park Young-soo was booked for investigation last month over allegations that he accepted a Porsche rental car and seafood from a man who claimed to be a fisheries businessman last December.

According to officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Park was grilled as a suspect for about 10 1/2 hours in the day. He is one of several high-profile figures, including senior members of the prosecution and police, who are being investigated for allegedly accepting bribes from the man.

Park’s supporters claimed earlier that the car was only rented for two days and the cost was paid in full.

But some observers have said the payment was only made after police launched their investigation into the businessman who is currently standing trial for fraud.

The former special counsel has also argued that under this title, he is not a public official and so is not subject to punishment under the anti-graft law, though the state anti-corruption watchdog said that a special counsel can be deemed a public official.

Park investigated the scandal surrounding the now-imprisoned former president for over four years until he stepped down last month following the allegations. (Yonhap)

Ex-special counsel in former president case grilled by police for alleged graft
Source: Buhay Kapa PH