2 More Relatives of S. Korea’s Ex-President Chun Arrested

South Korean authorities on Saturday arrested two more relatives of former President Chun Doo Hwan for alleged irregularities committed under his rule, including misappropriation of official funds and influence peddling.

The arrests were the latest moves by President Roh Tae Woo’s government and the ruling Democratic Justice Party to shake off undesirable legacies of the Chun era.

Chun Ki Hwan, 59, the former president’s elder brother, was arrested and charged with embezzlement. Prosecutors said he embezzled and diverted to personal use $285,714 from the official funds of the government-invested Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul.

The ex-president’s cousin, Chun Woo Hwan, 55, was detained and charged with influence peddling and with allegedly taking $280,000 in bribes from businessmen.

The arrests followed by two months the conviction of the former president’s younger brother on corruption charges--and meant that more than a dozen Chun family members, in-laws and friends have been put in jail or are under investigation.

The arrest of Chun Ki Hwan was seen as particularly significant because he is the ex-president’s closest sibling and nominal leader of the Chun family.

Signal From Government

His arrest, analysts said, is intended to send a signal from the government and the ruling party--whose popularity is plummeting amid the corruption scandals--that the ex-president could also end up in jail unless he quickly accepts a compromise.

The compromise that has been suggested calls for Chun to apologize for alleged misdeeds, return any illegally acquired wealth and retire.