Authorities are reportedly looking into suspicions that former President Roh Tae-woo may have as much as 9 billion won ($8 million) in cash and real estate held under borrowed names.

The revelation comes as authorities step up efforts to collect outstanding fines from Roh and his predecessor Chun Doo-hwan.

Roh, who served as president from 1988 to 1992, was sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined 262.8 billion won in 1997 on a number of charges, including revolt and bribery, of which 23 billion won remains outstanding.

During a tax audit conducted last year on Aurora CS, a refrigerated-storage company operated by Roh’s brother, the former president’s chauffer identified by the surname Chung was shown to have more than 3 billion won in nine different accounts, according to reports.

The authorities suspect the funds belong to Roh, seeing as Chung’s annual salary was less than 40 million won.

Along with Chung’s accounts, the authorities have confirmed that Roh’s son Roh Jae-hyun is a co-owner of a luxury condominium in Gangwon Province valued between 2 billion won and 3 billion won.

In addition to Roh Jae-hyun, his ex-wife and two other individuals are registered as co-owners.

Roh Jae-hyun’s ex-wife is the daughter of Shin Myong-soo, former chairman of Shindongbang Group, who was fined 23 billion won for receiving the elder Roh’s slush funds.

Roh Jae-hyun also owns the former president’s home in Seoul and an apartment in Daegu.

The property in Seoul is valued at about 3 billion won, and Roh Jae-hyun has been its official owner since 2000.

The Daegu apartment is traded at about 300 million won, and Roh Jae-hyun has owned the property since 1999 when the former president’s younger brother Roh Jae-woo transferred the ownership for free.

According to reports, the apartment was purchased by Roh Jae-woo with his brother’s money and the ownership transfer was made under the direction of the former president.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)