Prosecutors said on Monday that Samsung Group, the country's biggest conglomerate, gave billions of won in illegal funds to then candidate Roh Moo-hyun's camp ahead of the 2002 presidential election campaign. The revelation is expected to place further pressure on the president, who was elected on a platform of ending corrupt politics.

Announcing the interim results of a five-month-long inquiry into illegal campaign funding, prosecutors said one of Roh's former aides is suspected of receiving 3 billion won (US$2.6 million) in slush funds from Samsung ahead of the election campaign.

The announcement puts the total illicit money that Roh's campaign is suspected of taking at 11.4 billion won. President Roh asserted early this year that he would step down from office if his camp is found to have raised more than a tenth of the illegal campaign funds collected by the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP).

The GNP, which holds a parliamentary majority, is suspected of illicitly receiving a total of 84 billion won from business interests.

The prosecution also said it will withhold further inquiry into politicians suspected of receiving slush funds until after the April general election, adding that appropriate legal steps would be taken after the election period.

Prosecutors also said that their investigation into the business groups Samsung, Hyundai Motor, Dongbu and Buyoung would continue, while investigations into other groups, such as SK, Hanjin and Kumho, are wrapping up.