[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution's investigation into allegations that former KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu and other senior KT executives gave 'split donations' to members of the National Assembly has resumed after about a year.
According to the legal community on the 6th, the Economic Crime Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Joo Min-cheol) summoned a current KT executive as a witness for questioning regarding the allegations. With the statute of limitations (7 years) for illegal political fund charges nearing expiration, there are expectations that former Chairman Hwang will soon be summoned for investigation.
Between 2014 and 2018, former Chairman Hwang and seven other senior KT executives are accused of creating slush funds totaling 437.9 million won and illegally donating to 99 members of the 19th and 20th National Assembly.
The prosecution believes KT engaged in 'split donations' to circumvent the donation limit per lawmaker. Under the Political Funds Act, corporations or organizations are prohibited from making political donations, and the donation limit is capped at 5 million won. According to police investigations, KT mobilized 29 employees, some of whom even borrowed names of family members and acquaintances.
The prosecution has been conducting supplementary investigations since January 2019, after receiving the case from the police with a recommendation for indictment on charges of violating the Political Funds Act by KT executives.
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