Charges filed under aggravated punishment law for bribery

North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan. [North Chungcheong Province]
North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan. [North Chungcheong Province]

By Choi Eui-jong, The Herald Business

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials has launched a forced investigation into North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan over allegations of improper financial dealings.

The CIO's Fourth Division, led by Chief Prosecutor Cha Jeong-hyeon, dispatched more than 10 prosecutors and investigators Tuesday morning to execute a search and seizure warrant at Kim's office and other locations. Kim faces charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes in connection with bribery.

A civic group had earlier filed a complaint with the CIO alleging that Kim borrowed 3 billion won ($1.95 million) from a local businessman in 2023, using his own building and land as collateral, and that the transaction involved a quid pro quo.

The group had initially filed the complaint with police, but investigators concluded the loan was structured as a normal financial transaction and declined to refer the case for prosecution. The group then refiled the complaint with the CIO.

Once it completes its analysis of the seized materials and examines the relevance of Kim's official duties to the alleged transaction, the CIO is expected to summon him as a suspect for questioning.

Kim, a People Power Party member, ran for a second term as North Chungcheong governor in the June 3 local elections but lost to Shin Yong-han, a Democratic Party of Korea candidate and vice chairman of the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development. Kim held his farewell ceremony that day.


bell@heraldcorp.com