[THE INVESTOR] The independent counsel probing the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil has zeroed in on alleged irregularities in executive appointments at POSCO , a local daily reported on Jan. 24.



The investigators are focusing on whether Choi and the presidential office dictated executive appointments at the nation’s No. 1 steelmaker, according to local daily Hankook Ilbo.



They have reportedly secured evidence that either Choi or a former presidential aide interfered in the process of selecting Kwon Oh-joon as the company’s CEO in 2014.



To further the investigation, the counsel questioned former POSCO executive Kim Eung-kyu on Jan. 23, and has issued summons to a handful of former and current executives, the report said.







POSCO CEO Kwon Oh-joon. The Investor





The report said that Kim is suspected of having played a key role in the process of appointing Kwon, after former presidential economic aide informed him that the latter has been tapped for the post.



According to the report, the investigators grilled Kim on who informed him that Kwon was tapped for the post, and if Kim attempted to hide Cheong Wa Dae’s involvement in the selection process.



It has also been alleged that Cheong Wa Dae officials singled out executives to be weeded out from POSCO and its subsidiaries.



By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)