Fly-by-night Justice Minister Cho Kuk appeared for questioning by prosecutors on Thursday, a month since he stepped down after just 35 days into the job, but refused to answer a single question.
Cho showed up at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' office and was grilled for eight hours. But he invoked his right to silence and declined to answer any of the litany of questions prosecutors fired at him.
Reporters camped out in front of the prosecutor's office failed to photograph or interview Cho because he was escorted to the office through a secluded passageway.
Cho took advantage of a measure to protect suspects from public humiliation that he himself had pushed through during his 35-day tenure. Previously prosecutors ushered all suspects through the front lobby so they had to face the press.
Cho's wife, Chung Kyung-shim, was also spirited through the hidden passageway when she was questioned earlier.
Cho had pledged to "faithfully cooperate" with prosecutors when he was justice minister, but he apparently changed his mind once the heat was on.
In a press release sent out just five minutes after his questioning ended Thursday afternoon he said, "All of the charges that are being raised in relation to me are different from the truth. I decided that it is pathetic and unnecessary to answer each question and offer an excuse. I intend to reveal the truth in court."
Prosecutors will summon him several more times.
