It Makes a Difference to the Sheep

LATEST TARGET OF BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS: PARK GEUN-HYE.

Rep. Park Geun-hye, a daughter of the late President Park Chung-hee, is under probe on the allegation she received money from the opposition Grand National Party in return for re-entering the party shortly prior to the 2002 presidential election, prosecution sources said yesterday.

Prosecutors recently secured testimony from a former top GNP official that the party gave her about 200 million won after she rejoined in November of that year, according to the sources.

Having already served as first lady (after her mother was assassinated), Park bolted the party in what was thought to be a bid for the presidency in 2002 (check out her website here). But the sudden entry of 2002 World Cup organizer and Hyundai tycoon Chung Mong-jun into the race stole all of Park's limelight. Naturally, she denies any wrong-doing:

Park acknowledged receiving 200 million won from the GNP after rejoining the party but said the money was to finance her campaign activities for GNP presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang.

"I didn't receive any money from the GNP in return for joining hands with the party," she said in a news conference.

It is hard to say at this point, but would this have anything to do with the allegations against her?

Park has been touted as a possible successor to GNP Chairman Choe Byung-yul, who recently announced his intention of stepping down.