Police have placed a travel ban on National Agricultural Cooperative Federation President Kang Ho-dong, who is suspected of taking a 100 million won bribe, according to reports on the 29th. A travel ban is a measure under the Immigration Act imposed on a person deemed not to be allowed to leave the country for a criminal investigation.
Earlier, on the 15th, police conducted a search and seizure of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation President Kang Ho-dong. Police are said to believe that around the end of 2023, when Kang ran for and was favored to win the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation presidency, he received 100 million won on two occasions from the head of a service company that had a transaction relationship with a National Agricultural Cooperative Federation affiliate. The service company head reportedly sought favors related to business convenience.
Kang Ho-dong, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation president, also faced intense questioning over the alleged 100 million won bribe during a recent National Assembly audit. But Kang avoided detailed answers, citing the ongoing police investigation.
NongHyup faces other corruption allegations as well. On the 28th, prosecutors indicted National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Vice President Ji Jun-seop without detention on charges of involvement in an illegal loan worth about 10 billion won.
Prosecutors also found that Vice President Ji received a personnel solicitation from Han Sang-kwon, the chairman of Seoyoung Holdings, which received the illegal loan. Han allegedly asked Vice President Ji to ensure that employee A at NongHyup Bank, who handled Seoyoung Holdings' loan, could be appointed as Director General of the loan screening department. Prosecutors concluded that although Vice President Ji had no authority to intervene in NongHyup Bank personnel matters, Ji exerted influence over NongHyup Bank to have A appointed as Director General of the loan screening department.
There is also criticism that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which has the authority and responsibility to oversee and supervise NongHyup, is failing to play its role.