Builder tried to hide bribery evidence: prosecutors

(ATTN: CORRECTS date on 3rd para; UPDATES with background)

SEOUL, April 19 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Sunday a construction company tried to cover up evidence that might reveal its late chairman bribed politicians, including Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo.

They said a significant portion of closed-circuit TV footage and computer files at Keangnam Enterprises Inc. appears to have been deleted by the company.

Sung Wan-jong, who headed Keangnam Enterprises, committed suicide on April 9, leaving behind a note that listed high-ranking politicians with won figures next to each name.

Prosecutors suspect the listed people took money from Sung in return for business favors.

Sung killed himself while being investigated for alleged embezzlement.

Prosecutors said Sung misappropriated about 80 billion won (US$74 million) he borrowed from state oil and gas companies to create a slush fund during the previous Lee Myung-bak administration.

The major opposition party threatened to impeach Prime Minister Lee, who is suspected of taking 30 million won in cash from Sung in 2013, when Lee was running for a parliamentary seat.

Lee has denied the allegation, saying he would give up his life if it turned out to be true.

sojungpark@yna.co.kr
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