Former spy agency chief Nam Jae-joon [Yonhap Photo]
As South Korea's ousted ex-president clung to her tenacious boycott of court hearings for a month, two former spy heads were arrested for diverting expenses for intelligence activities into a secret fund created by presidential aides.
The detention of former National Intelligence Service (NIS) heads Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byung-kee came early Friday after a criminal court issued arrest warrants sought by a special team of prosecutors looking into wrongdoing under the leadership of Park Geun-hye and her conservative predecessor.
Initially, prosecutors asked for warrants to arrest three former NIS heads on charges including bribery and embezzlement, but the court excluded Lee Byong-ho, citing no risk of flight or destruction of evidence. The three served as NIS chiefs in turn from 2013 to 2017.
Nam allegedly initiated the monthly payment and Lee Byung-kee was accused of doubling it to 100 million won (90,900 US dollars). About four billion won was channeled from NIS coffers into Park's office, which is suspected of using NIS money for improper political and personal activities. Two former presidential officials were already arrested on bribery charges.
Former NIS officials have been arrested on charges of meddling in elections and blacklisting outspoken figures. Conservative groups have voiced concern about political retaliation. At her last court appearance on October 16, Park said her legal battle has become meaningless and her seven-member defense team boycotted court hearings.
"I hope political retaliation in the name of the rule of law will be punctuated with me," Park said at the time, insisting she had endured a mental and physical pain enough for six months behind bars. She was indicted for abusing her status and power to coerce businessmen to donate money to nonprofit foundations controlled by her crony, Choi Soon-sil, in return for business favors.
Park has denied charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion and leaking government secrets. She was ousted after the constitutional court upheld her impeachment on March 10, accusing her of betraying the confidence of voters.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
