January 15, 1996
Web posted at: 10:45 a.m. EST (1545 GMT)
From Seoul Bureau Chief Sohn Jie-Ae
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Prosecutors cross-examined former South Korean president Roh Tae-Woo at his bribery trial Monday, after he earlier refused to take the stand on his own behalf.
The hearing was the first since Roh's trial began December 18. As the judge prepared to adjourn the trial for the day, lead prosecutor Moon Young-ho got permission to cross-examine Roh.
In 10 minutes of cross-examination, Roh sounded increasingly irritated as Moon pressed him about the legality of what Roh called "donations." Roh is charged with receiving $365 million in bribes in return for major government contracts.
"I have never, ever intended to accept any bribes," Roh said pointedly. "I have received only donations. I have never swapped them for favors."
He denied he forced any government ministries to award contracts to specific businessmen. And when questioned about whether he himself was involved in awarding contracts, Roh repeatedly answered: "I don't remember."
Earlier, in a statement read by Roh's lawyers, the former president said he would offer no excuses and would accept any punishment. The former president denied he gave favors for the money he received from prominent businessmen.
Roh arrived at court under tight security, wearing a blue prison uniform. Television cameras were barred from the proceedings.
Outside, citizens gathered. Some had stood in line overnight in the winter cold to get into the trial, while others came to express their opinion on what the outcome should be.
"We are a country ruled by law," said one woman. "I want to see him tried fairly, and get the maximum penalty for the crime he committed."
If convicted, Roh could be given a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison.
Standing trial with the former president are 14 businessmen and former government officials who are charged with bribery or helping Roh raise the slush fund.
Major business figures such as Lee Kun-hee, chairman of the Samsung group, and Kim Woo-choong of the Daewoo group argued that the money was not for any specific favors, and that if they are convicted, their businesses would suffer both in the domestic and international markets.
Monday's court session came three days after another former president, Chun Doo-hwan, was indicted for allegedly taking $275 million in bribes as part of a $900 million slush fund accumulated during his 1980-88 term.
Roh faces separate charges with Chun for their roles in a 1979 military coup and a bloody crackdown in the city of Kwangju the following year.
Chun already had had been charged with engineering the military coup and has been in jail since December.
Analysts expect sentencing for both former presidents in the latter half of this year, after all the trial proceedings have been completed.
![[Imagemap]](/EVENTS/world_of_faith/faith_navbar.gif)
Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.