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피터빈트

Spy agency chief rejects suspicions over illicit funds to lawmakers

By Yonhap

Published : Nov. 16, 2017 - 14:05

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The chief of the National Intelligence Service rejected media reports Thursday that it has evidence that shows its officials had offered illicit funds to lawmakers during the preceding Park Geun-hye administration.

The reports emerged this week that NIS officials might have offered billions of won not only to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae but also to some members of the National Assembly.

"There are no documents to corroborate (these suspicions)," Suh Hoon, the NIS director, was quoted as saying during a parliamentary session.

Suh Hoon, the director of the National Intelligence Service, attends a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 16, 2017. (Yonhap) Suh Hoon, the director of the National Intelligence Service, attends a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 16, 2017. (Yonhap)

The NIS is considering taking legal action against the media outlets that raised the suspicions, Suh added.

The prosecution has been investigating the allegations that NIS officials provided money from the agency's coffers to aides close to Park on a monthly basis between 2013 and mid-2016 totaling about 4 billion won ($3.6 million). 

As part of the probe, the prosecution has sought court approval to arrest all three NIS chiefs under Park: Nam Jae-joon, Lee Byong-ho and Lee Byung-kee. (Yonhap)

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