The National Commission for Human Rights stated on the 10th that it has confirmed allegations of various bribes, including forcing local public officials to pay vehicle installment payments for suppliers. The commission has transferred the case to the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office.
According to the commission, an official A from a local government affiliated with a central ministry had been purchasing safety products for several years. Official B, who worked at the same organization, operated a supplier of safety products under his spouse's name. Official A arranged for official B to pay the vehicle installment payments for a Grandeur sedan registered under his spouse's name in exchange for pushing through a contract. A representative from the commission noted, "The amount of the payment is about 12 million won."
Official A demanded that 2 million won in birthday money for his spouse be transferred to his bank account and received a Maltese puppy worth 800,000 won from official B as a gift for a friend. Official A was also investigated for inflating prices when placing orders for safety products and taking the difference. The supplier disguised the increased amount as a transaction with a third party. According to the commission's explanation, the third party gave this amount to official A.
Lee Myung-soon, Deputy Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission, remarked, "This is local corruption involving public officials working in the area and companies run by colleagues and their families," and emphasized, "A thorough investigation and prevention of recurrence are necessary."