SoKor embassy clarifies: Aguirre vowed to stop probe on mafia

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The embassy of the Republic of Korea in Manila clarified on Thursday that it was Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, himself, who promised to stop any investigation into the so-called Korean mafia without their prompting.

In a statement, it said, “The Korean Embassy regrets very much that, based on wrong and unfounded information, Secretary Aguirre made some misleading statements involving so-called Korean mafia at the Senate hearing on Feb. 23, 2017.”

The embassy stressed, “The embassy officials did not ask the Secretary to stop any investigation concerning the Korean mafia.”

According to the statement, Aguirre asked to meet the embassy’s consul-general and a police attaché as well as the widow of Jee Ick-joo on February 13.

READ: Cop says ‘Korean mafia’ killed Jee

“He (Aguirre) wanted to clarify the rumor of Mr. Jee’s possible collaboration with an unspecified Korean mafia,” it said.

The embassy official and Jee’s wife maintained that the victim lived an honest life and was a conscientious businessman having no connection “with any malicious Korean persons.”  The embassy cited the Philippine National Police’s “consistent confirmations” that the kidnapping and murder had nothing to do with a Korean mafia.

Likewise Jee’s widow had categorically denied that he was kidnapped twice before. The widow also asked that the National Bureau of Investigation withdraw from the joint probe in her husband’s killing “so that the investigation will not be delayed and proceed speedily.”

“Then Secretary Aguirre promised that the DOJ (Department of Justice) would not pursue any longer the angle of possible linkage with a Korean mafia in its future investigations into the case,” the statement said.

The embassy also clarified that a “Mr. Kang Tai-shik,” whose name was brought up by Aguirre in the meeting, is a long-established Korean businessman with no connection with Jee’s case.

READ: Korean mafia behind Jee slay? Nonsense, says embassy

Further the embassy maintained, “The Embassy has every confidence that no official has been compromised by Korean mafia. The Embassy asks for any concrete evidence that substantiates his remarks. It would take full responsibility for it, if any.”

It concluded, “The Embassy is strongly distressed that this false information could tarnish its honor and reputation.” RAM