By Choi Ha-young



Woo Byung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, has been put on an unofficial wanted list. Politicians and online celebrities have donated 13 million won ($11,110) in prize money for catching Woo, one of the key figures in the influence-peddling scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil.

He disappeared late last month after being questioned about the allegations that he entered Cheong Wa Dae thanks to his relationship with Choi and intentionally disregarded her meddling in state affairs.



Woo was a witness for the National Assembly's hearing on Dec. 7 but did not show up. The former prosecutor did not receive the subpoena in the first place as he has not been at home for weeks. Rumors are that he had been hiding at his mother-in-law's home, but that is not the case.



Angry about his attitude, public calls for him to take the witness stand have grown. Former lawmaker Chung Bong-ju and Rep. Ahn Min-suk of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) donated 5 million won each saying they would give the money to the person who smokes out Woo.



Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the ruling Saenuri Party pledged another 1 million won and investigative journalist Joo Jin-woo promised 2 million won.



Internet users have made a fake wanted poster to catch Woo Byung-woo, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. / Courtesy of Chung Bong-ju's Facebook

Internet users have made a fake wanted poster, which read, "Round-shaped face, wearing glasses, 175 centimeter tall. Woo, 50, is good at scowling at others, folding his arms, and making excuses." The phrases satirized his arrogant attitude, as a photo showed him smiling with arms crossed while being investigated by prosecutors, and scowling at a journalist who asked about his corruption allegations before entering the prosecutors' office.



Bloggers have posted reports such as claiming to have seen his car and that Woo was seen in an apartment in Haeundae, Busan.



But even if his whereabouts become known, there is no legal way to force him to participate in the hearing. After Woo's absence from the Assembly hearing, several lawmakers submitted bills to force suspects and witnesses to attend parliamentary hearings.