Prosecution seeks arrest warrant for former intelligence chief

Published : Jul 5, 2013 - 21:09 Updated : Jul 5, 2013 - 21:13

State prosecutors said Friday they were seeking an arrest warrant for former National Intelligence Service chief Won Sei-hoon accused of accepting bribes from a construction company in return for peddling influence.

Hwang Bo-yeon, head of now-bankrupt Hwangbo Construction, had testified that he has given Won some 100 million won (US$87,565) in cash and gifts since 2009 in exchange for the spy chief's influence in getting major construction projects by public institutions and large corporations.

Won Sei-hoon

After 11 hours of overnight questioning by prosecutors, Won was allowed to go home early Friday. Investigators said he had denied taking bribes.

“I received some gifts... I have received birthday presents and such, but I did not receive money," Won told reporters as he left the prosecutors' office.

Won served as the NIS director for the most part of the previous Lee Myung-bak administration until early this year.

In a separate case, Won was indicted last month on charges of ordering some of his agents to use the Internet to sway public opinion in favor of President Park Geun-hye, then ruling party candidate, ahead of December's election. (YN)