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소아쌤

Ex-spy chief grilled over agency's alleged illegal payments to Park aides

By Yonhap

Published : Nov. 13, 2017 - 10:40

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A former chief of the National Intelligence Service was questioned by prosecutors on Monday over allegations that the agency paid billions of won of its off-book funds to two aides of then-President Park Geun-hye during his term.

Lee Byung-kee appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office around 9:30 a.m. He told reporters, "I owe an apology for having caused concern and disappointment in the public over the agency's fund suspected of being channeled into Cheong Wa Dae."

But he did not say a word when asked about whether he provided the presidential office with the money and if he increased the payments while he headed the agency from 2014-2015.

Lee Byung-kee, former National Intelligence Service director, is shown in the photo taken on Nov. 13, 2017, surrounded by reporters as he appeared for prosecution questioning over the agency`s illegal payments to two Park aides during his term. (Yonhap) Lee Byung-kee, former National Intelligence Service director, is shown in the photo taken on Nov. 13, 2017, surrounded by reporters as he appeared for prosecution questioning over the agency`s illegal payments to two Park aides during his term. (Yonhap)

Lee, 70, is accused of being involved in the NIS' regular payments of at least 4 billion won ($3.56 million) to Ahn Bong-geun and Lee Jae-man, two senior secretaries to Park from 2013-2016. Prosecutors believe the money was channeled into a secret fund for Park and used for illegal political activities or even by her personally. Lee also served as Park's chief of staff.

Prosecutors have called in two other former spy chiefs who served under Park's term for questioning. They both have apparently told prosecutors that they "could not reject Cheong Wa Dae's call" that was deemed the president's request.

The two aides have been arrested over bribery charges. Prosecutors are said to be planning an interrogation of the former president in the detention center where she's being held since her arrest in March this year. (Yonhap)

 

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