Credit for uncovering entrenched local council corruption
A Seoul police investigation team that uncovered a hiring bribery scheme — in which sitting district council members accepted tens of millions of won in exchange for job favors — is set to receive a commendation.
According to the Korean National Police Agency on Thursday, the intelligence crime investigation team at the Seoul Gangseo Police Station detained Park Seong-ho, the former speaker of the Gangseo-gu Council, and Jeon Cheol-gyu, the former chair of its steering committee, on charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The team also secured a pre-indictment asset freeze on 58 million won ($42,800) in criminal proceeds. Park and Jeon are accused of accepting money and exerting undue influence during a process last year, between April and July, in which a Grade 6 civil servant identified only as A was hired into a special-grade position equivalent to Grade 5.
The agency said the Gangseo team was selected as an outstanding case in its special crackdown on entrenched local corruption, in recognition of its work uncovering structural bribery involving the abuse of district council members' positions and its contribution to strengthening integrity in local government. The team will receive a special performance bonus of 10 million won.
The lead investigator on the case said the inquiry began with nothing more than unverified rumors, but that the team's determination to get to the truth — and each member's commitment to their role — ultimately allowed them to expose the full extent of the corruption.
Police plan to continue their crackdown on entrenched local corruption, including launching a special operation targeting community collusion starting in November. Officers who produce outstanding investigative results will be actively considered for special promotions and commendations.
Oh Seung-jin, director of the National Investigation Headquarters' investigation bureau, urged the public to play an active role. "Rooting out entrenched corruption requires not only police investigations but also public attention — we ask that people actively report any tips or information they have," he said.
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