The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 30th launched a forced investigation into alleged bribery involving Kim Young-hwan, the North Chungcheong governor.
The CIO's Fourth Investigation Division (headed by Senior Prosecutor Cha Jeong-hyeon) said that on the morning of the day, in connection with the so-called "Kim Young-hwan North Chungcheong governor money transaction allegations" case, it deployed about 10 prosecutors and investigators and was conducting searches and seizures of the North Chungcheong governor's office and other locations.
Governor Kim is suspected of receiving valuables worth several billion won from a local businessman and providing various favors.
The CIO reportedly determined that the money Governor Kim received constituted kickbacks improperly taken in connection with official duties and applied bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Meanwhile, Governor Kim held a departure ceremony that day at the provincial government's Culture Hall, attended by about 200 public officials and others.