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(LEAD) Samsung Group chief appears for questioning second time over alleged corruption
SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee Friday appeared for questioning for the second time as a special prosecutor's probe of alleged corruption by the country's biggest conglomerate neared its end.
Lee, 66, who was questioned for 11 hours a week ago, did not answer reporters' questions and walked straight into the elevator to reach the office of the special prosecutor Cho Joon-woong. His lawyer Lee Wan-soo said Lee "will speak after the inquiry."
Investigators have sought to verify a slew of corruption allegations raised by a former Samsung lawyer since January. The whistleblower claimed that Samsung created 200 billion won (US$205 million) in slush funds under borrowed-name accounts of Samsung affiliates; routinely lobbied government officials, judges and prosecutors; illegally transferred control of the group from Lee to his son, Jae-yong, in 1996; and that all these activities were orchestrated by Lee.
Samsung has denied the allegations, but Lee refrained from categorically denying them in the previous inquiry. "Case by case. Not 100 percent," he told reporters at that time.
"The questioning will deal with the issues comprehensively rather than specifically," Yun Jung-sok, spokesman for the special prosecutor said before Lee's appearance.
At stake is whether Lee will be indicted, and if so, on which charges.
Investigators have found that borrowed-name shares do exist in Samsung affiliates and were trying to identify whether they were Lee's assets, as Samsung claims, or slush funds stashed for bribery.
Lee's wife Hong Ra-hee was questioned earlier this month over allegations that she used some of the slush funds to buy expensive paintings. Their son, Jae-yong, and Hong's brother and former ambassador to the United States, Hong Seok-hyun, were summoned last month.
The April 23 deadline is approaching for the independent probe sparked by the whistleblower, Kim Yong-chul, and legislated by the National Assembly.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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