Leader’s Son Held In Bribery Scandal

Prosecutors in Seoul on Saturday arrested the younger son of South Korean President Kim Young-Sam on bribery and tax-evasion charges, in a sensational scandal that has captivated the country and will likely affect the upcoming presidential election.

Kim Hyun-chul, 37, is accused of taking $3.6 million in bribes from businessmen seeking favors from his father. He also is charged with accepting another $3.7 million in cash donations from businessmen and laundering the cash to avoid paying $1.5 million in taxes.

Kim has admitted taking some of the money, but he has denied that it was bribes. If found guilty of both bribery and tax evasion, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

The president, who has made fighting corruption a cornerstone of his administration, has not been accused of wrongdoing in the case. But analysts say the scandal swirling around his son has paralyzed his presidency and diminished his influence in selecting a candidate to succeed him in the December election.