Prosecutors have secured witnesses that Hyundai Motor Group bribed eight former lawmakers of then ruling liberal party in 2006 while its chairman was on trial over bribery charges, according to prosecution sources Saturday.

The special investigation team delving into the savings bank scandal said Kim Dong-jin, a former Hyundai Motor vice president, told investigators he bribed then lawmakers of the Uri Party, a ruling party of late President Roh Moo-hyun, in late 2006.

Kim, 62, said he gave 10 million won (USS$8,936) and two bottles of expensive wine to each of the eight lawmakers after they met with Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo at a Seoul hotel.

The meeting was held months after the 74-year-old Chung was released on bail after spending two months in prison for setting up slush funds and giving kickbacks to politicians and awaiting a court decision.

According to prosecutors, the ex-vice chairman said he appealed to the lawmakers, who were considered influential within the party, to create public opinion favorable to the business mogul in hopes of a lenient sentence. (Yonhap)