P.M. BRIEFING : Seoul Probes Housing Scandal
Authorities arrested a noted businessman and questioned five lawmakers and a former government official today in a housing scandal involving influence-peddling and bribery.
Chung Tae Soo, 68, founder of Hanbo Business Group, was arrested on charges of giving bribes and violating laws and regulations on land use and management.
Under questioning were five legislators and a one-time secretary to President Roh Tae Woo.
Hanbo Housing is suspected of buying 60 acres of land in a construction-restricted greenbelt in southern Seoul in 1989 and selling the property to 26 organized groups of would-be homeowners under a promise to get the area ready for development. A parliamentary committee backed the development.
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