May 18 Groups Urge Investigation and Recovery of Roh Tae-woo's Illegal Slush Funds (Comprehensive)

Four May 18 Democratic Movement Organizations Issue Statement on October 17

"This ruling has clearly revealed the illegality of the slush funds accumulated by the new military regime."

Organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Movement have called for a thorough investigation and the recovery of the illegal slush funds amassed by former President Roh Tae-woo.

Organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising have strongly demanded a thorough investigation into former President Roh Tae-woo's illegal slush fund issue. Yonhap News Agency

On October 17, four organizations-including the May 18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, the May 18 Democratic Merit Family Association, the Democratic Movement Injured Association, and the Democratic Movement Contributors Association-issued a statement. They said, "The Supreme Court confirmed that 30 billion won of Roh Tae-woo's slush funds were illegal in its ruling on the divorce case between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Art Center Nabi Director Noh So-young."

They emphasized that the government must thoroughly uncover how these illegal funds were created and used, and ensure their recovery. They explained, "It has been confirmed that the scope and use of the new military regime's slush funds were far more extensive."

The organizations stated, "Roh Tae-woo and Chun Doo-hwan massacred citizens and seized state power illegally to usurp the regime, and then used this power to amass enormous slush funds. Furthermore, they did not hesitate to grant corporate privileges and provide slush fund support to companies."

They went on to stress, "The government must fully disclose and recover all aspects of how these illegal slush funds were created and used, and investigations into the companies that received illegal funds must also be conducted."

The organizations also urged the swift passage of the "Independent Confiscation System Bill for the Recovery of Concealed Assets of Constitutional Order Disruptors," which is currently pending in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

They argued, "The connection between slush funds and far-right forces must also be thoroughly investigated at this opportunity."

Previously, the Supreme Court determined in the final appeal of the divorce case between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Art Center Nabi Director Noh So-young that it was a misinterpretation of the law to recognize the 30 billion won of Roh Tae-woo's slush funds as a contribution to the division of assets. The court held that if the 'Roh Tae-woo slush fund' contributed to the formation of Chairman Chey's assets, it cannot be considered as Director Noh's contribution, since the funds are illegal.