An Busoo, former president of the Asia-Pacific Peace Exchange Association [file photo].
In relation to allegations of witness coercion during the investigation of the ‘Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea case’, An Busoo and former Ssangbangwool executives are set to undergo detention warrant hearings the day after tomorrow (10th).
The Seoul Central District Court will hold warrant review hearings for former Ssangbangwool vice chairman Bang Yong-cheol, former director Park, and president An starting at 10:10 am on the 10th.
Prosecutors suspect that the Ssangbangwool side offered special treatment to An, including paying his legal fees in exchange for changing his testimony and providing a residential office for his daughter.
An initially testified in 2022 when he was arrested that the 8 million dollars sent to North Korea by Ssangbangwool was for Ssangbangwool’s investment and stock manipulation. However, he later changed his statement, indicating it was for a visit to North Korea planned by Gyeonggi Province and then-Governor Lee Jae-myung.
An, in conspiracy with former Ssangbangwool chairman Kim Seong-tae, was charged with sending foreign currency worth 500 million won to North Korea and was sentenced to one year in prison in his second trial in February. He is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling.