SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean lawmakers have passed legislation that gives authorities more time to collect 167.5 billion won ($146.2 million) from a former military dictator, and even lets them collect from his relatives if necessary.
The National Assembly announced on its website that the law passed Thursday extends the statute of limitations on former President Chun Doo-hwan's debt from October 2013 to 2020. It also allows authorities to collect from his family if Chun can't pay. Chun says he has no money left.
Chun ruled from 1979 to 1988. In 1980, he ordered a bloody crackdown on a pro-democracy protest.
In 1996, he was convicted of mutiny and treason and ordered to pay 220.5 billion won ($192 million) he had received in bribes. He has since returned one-fourth of the money.
