Kim Sung-tae, Former Ssangbangwool Chairman, Questioned by Prosecutors Over Alleged Attempt to Induce Testimony in North Korea Remittance Case

Kim: "What would I have to induce him with?"
Firm denial of "salmon and drinking party" allegations: "It did not happen"

Former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Sung-tae is appearing on the 8th at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Violation Inspection Task Force (TF) in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to be investigated in connection with the "salmon and drinking party inducement allegations" raised during the investigation of the "Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case."

Former Ssangbangwool Group Chairman Kim Sung-tae has been summoned by prosecutors in connection with allegations of holding a so-called "salmon and drinking party" during the investigation into the group's remittance to North Korea.

On the morning of January 8, as Kim appeared at the Human Rights Violation Inspection Task Force (TF) office at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, he was asked by reporters whether he had attempted to induce Lee Hwa-young, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province. Kim responded, "What would I have to induce him with?"

When asked whether he had offered financial benefits to persuade Ahn Bu-su, President of the Asia-Pacific Peace Exchange Association, Kim replied, "What is there to buy off?" Regarding allegations that alcohol was brought into the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office interrogation room, he firmly denied it, stating, "That did not happen."

The Task Force is currently investigating allegations that, during the investigation into the Ssangbangwool Group's remittance to North Korea in May 2023, alcohol was brought into the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office and provided to former Vice Governor Lee and former Chairman Kim.

The Task Force is also investigating suspicions that Ssangbangwool offered financial benefits to Ahn, a key witness in the remittance trial, in an attempt to induce him. On January 6 and 7, the Task Force summoned and questioned Bang Yong-cheol, former Vice Chairman of Ssangbangwool Group, and Park (surname only disclosed), former director of the group.

Previously, the Task Force had requested arrest warrants for Ahn, Bang, and Park on charges of obstruction of justice by fraudulent means, embezzlement, and breach of trust, but failed to secure their detention.

The Task Force determined that Ssangbangwool provided various conveniences to Ahn and his family in exchange for changing his testimony. It was found that the company paid Ahn's legal fees, provided his child with a residential officetel, and offered special treatment such as employment at the company. However, the request for arrest warrants was dismissed.