Kim Bong-hyun "Received Prosecutorial Assistance During Lime Officials' Escape"... Additional Statement Released

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management (Lime) scandal, made additional revelations on the 21st regarding allegations of 'prosecutor entertainment and coercive investigation.'

In a 14-page second statement from prison delivered to various media outlets on the same day, former chairman Kim claimed, "Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil received recommendations and assistance on how to escape from prosecution officials while on the run."

Kim stated, "During the Suwon Passenger incident, a request to dismiss the warrant issuance was actually made to the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office chief," and mentioned, "I actually handed over 50 million won to an acquaintance who said, 'I was protecting my older brother at the request of the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office chief.'"

He added, "And it is true that the warrant issuance was not made for a while."

Kim repeatedly emphasized that his revelations, including 'prosecutor drinking entertainment,' are true, while denying any allegations related to the Blue House or the ruling party as groundless.

In particular, he stated, "The drinking entertainment involving lawyer A and three prosecutors is true," and added, "They were colleagues who previously worked together in the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering investigation team." He also revealed that during the Ministry of Justice investigation, he identified two of the prosecutors in photos.

Earlier, in the first statement released on the 16th, Kim claimed that around July last year, he entertained three active prosecutors with drinks worth about 10 million won at a room salon in Cheongdam-dong together with former prosecutor-turned-lawyer A.

He also said that one of the prosecutors present at the drinking party later joined the Lime investigation team as the person in charge.

Kim provided detailed explanations about his relationship with lawyer A.

He said, "I came to know lawyer A, who was serving as a prosecutor around 2007 in relation to the case," and claimed, "After hiring him as a defense attorney for the 2019 Suwon Passenger incident, I treated him with utmost respect by giving gifts such as hotel and golf club memberships."

He continued, "One day, lawyer A met Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl at the sauna of an apartment in Seocho-dong and heard that the Prosecutor General asked for help with the confirmation hearing preparation team," adding, "Since he was close to Yoon, I trusted him and cooperated with the investigation team as they wished based on lawyer A's words."

The statement also mentioned Prosecutor General Yoon's remarks on 'totalitarianism.' Yoon stated at the new prosecutors' induction ceremony last August, "True democracy rejects dictatorship and totalitarianism."

Kim claimed, "The investigation direction changed with just one word from Prosecutor General Yoon about 'totalitarianism.'"

He said, "A prosecutor who had refused to proceed with a case related to a ruling party lawmaker five years ago, citing the amount of (lobby) money was too small, called me again right after the Prosecutor General's (totalitarianism) announcement and said, 'I will proceed again,'" adding, "When I asked if it was because of the Prosecutor General's announcement, he said 'Yes' and asked for help."

On the other hand, he actively defended against allegations related to the Blue House and the ruling party.

Kim stated, "Since the Lime scandal occurred, I met a ruling party lawmaker only once at the National Assembly members' office building at the urging of Vice President Lee Jong-pil to appeal my grievances to the lawmaker in charge of finance," and claimed, "Lawmakers Ki Mo, Kim Mo, and Lee Mo were met in 2016 and have nothing to do with the Lime fund."