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Farm Officials Took Bribes Say Police

Posted September. 06, 2006 07:01,   

한국어

The police disclosed a scandal involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials who received bribes for government awards from related manufacturers or subsidiary institutes.

Consumers bought high-priced products selected by these officials, trusting they were high-quality ones.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency booked fifteen officials of the ministry, including Lee, 50, who received money and other valuables in return for faking official documents for government rewards, and three representatives of related manufacturers, including former chair of Korea Traditional Food Processing Association, Yi, 47, and G representative, Im, 41, for giving bribery.

Five employees of the Agriculture & Fisheries Distribution Corporation were booked on suspicion of placing a fake order for construction to provide treats to the ministry officials.

Buying Awards for Excellent Agricultural Manufacturers –

According to the police, Lee received 217 million won from Yi and Im with a promise of presidential and prime minister awards when he was in charge of the “Excellent Agricultural Products Best-5 Contest” in November of 2002.

They received the promised awards by lobbying with the list of selection committee members and selection standards Lee gave them.

Lee is also suspected of having received 37 million won from Kim, 50, representative of a Korean traditional snack manufacturer, for a medal in the 2003 government’s awards for agricultural processing industry leaders.

Lee was revealed to have colluded with three other officials, including Kim, 57, to fake an official document through which Kim received a medal.

Bribes from Subsidiary Institutes –

Eight officials of the Ministry, including department head Choi, 51, are suspected of receiving treats worth 15 million won in return for closing eyes to Yi’s abuse of 1.95 billion won grants for real estate investment. Yi was representative of Korea Traditional Food Processing Association, a subsidiary institute of the Ministry.

The staff of the Agriculture & Fisheries Distribution Corporation, another subsidiary institute, faked a budget plan to treat officials of the Ministry.

Five employees of the Corporation used 10 million won to treat officials of the Ministry after they applied for about 35 million won budget on the pretext of constructing a promotional facility in the direct trade marketplace open on Chuseok.

The Ministry said, “The suspects are all denying their involvement, and our investigation did not find any bribery evidence.”

Lee also argued, “The police are making up a story by taking the money I loaned and received back for bribes. As for the awards, I was not in the position of influencing the contest.”



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