Gambling news from http://times.hankooki.com/
The probe by the prosecution into the gambling scandal is expanding into political and administrative circles. However, the focus of the investigation should be on unmasking those responsible for turning the nation into a ``gambling republic.’’ The involvement of local criminal organizations and their clandestine relationships with politicians and public servants are surfacing, reminding people of the slot machine scandal that erupted 13 years ago.
The 19 companies issuing gift certificates are now at the center of suspicion. The owners of the companies, alleged to have issued nearly 30 trillion won (about $30 billion) worth of gift certificates since August last year, are banned from taking overseas trips. The video gambling games gained explosive popularity after game parlors allowed clients to illegally cash in their vouchers. That illegal policy brought windfall profits overnight to voucher issuers. Collusion and influence peddling appear to have run rampant in designating voucher publishers.
The names of some influential lawmakers suspected of being involved are in circulation, though not yet confirmed. The possible improper connections between politicians, government officials and businesses should be revealed through the probe. The mother of a Chong Wa Dae official was found to be in possession of 15,000 stocks of a company producing gift-certificates. One suspicion spawns another. A thorough investigation is required to see if any other Chong Wa Dae people are involved or not.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a report released Friday that crime organizations control much of the gift distribution networks used for gambling. The gambling game market is worth nearly 88 trillion won and the amount of taxes being evaded by game room operators would reach some 8.8 trillion won, the NIS said. An unconfirmed report has it that money from the Japanese yakuza (organized crime) groups has been flowed into the game room operators in the Pusan region. Crime money from a neighboring country might have entered Korea because of the stench of the illegal gambling business.
The prosecution should make a thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned. A thorough investigation of all suspicions has to be made. The focus of the probe should be on revealing whether or not any political big shots were involved in making illegal gambling flourish in our society. Many people believe that such a gigantic gambling business could not have possibly sprung to life without systematic support from those in power.
The prosecution should put its reputation on the line and make a thorough investigation so as not to give any reason for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate further.
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