Authorities have indicted the chairman and operating committee chairman of Seoul’s Gangseo District Council on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for influencing public servant hiring decisions.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office filed the indictment on April 24 following a special probe into embezzlement and bribery. Officials sought detention for Chairman Park and Chairman Jeon, but the court declined the request.
Bribes Linked to Service Contracts
Between April and July, Park and Jeon accepted approximately 40 million won ($29,000) in bribes from executives at Company A, a service robot firm. The payments, disguised as ‘anxiety relief funds,’ were tied to securing hiring quotas worth 15 million won and performance bonuses of 25 million won for public sector roles.
Investigators confirmed the pair funneled a further 31 million won to facilitate hires for three additional public employees through Company A. Park also received 2 million won from Company B in July 2024 for extending a public contract.
Four public company employees and water supply managers who received similar funds escaped detention.
Prosecutors Vow Maximum Penalty
Lead investigator stated, “Public hiring influence through contract extensions to collect bribes constitutes serious misconduct. Prosecutors intend to pursue the harshest possible sentence.”
