'A case of great public interest … we are looking into it closely'

Agency 'confirming' report on Han River bus rebate allegations

Jeong Il-yeon, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, responds to lawmakers' questions during the National Assembly's national audit of the Policy Committee on Monday. [Yonhap]
Jeong Il-yeon, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, responds to lawmakers' questions during the National Assembly's national audit of the Policy Committee on Monday. [Yonhap]

Jeong Il-yeon, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said Wednesday that the agency would wrap up its probe into allegations that Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae misused official funds and violated the anti-graft law as quickly as possible.

"The case was received last Friday, and we are looking into it closely," Jeong told lawmakers at the National Assembly's national audit of the Policy Committee on Wednesday. "Because this is a case of great public interest, we will investigate promptly and reach a conclusion."

Jeong declined to elaborate when asked whether Chief Justice Jo's conduct constituted a conflict of interest. The question centered on allegations by Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Kim Hyeong-yeon that Jo had dined with legal publishing industry figures in violation of the 50,000-won ($38) per-person meal limit. "It is difficult to speak in detail while the investigation is ongoing," Jeong said.

On a Seoul city employee who filed a report related to the so-called Han River bus rebate allegations against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Jeong said the agency would "immediately investigate and take protective measures" upon receiving any request for whistleblower protection.

Regarding a public-interest report the employee submitted to the commission in August, Jeong said the agency was "conducting a thorough review and verifying various materials submitted." He added that if corruption by a senior public official were confirmed, the agency would be obligated to file a criminal complaint under the anti-corruption law.

The Democratic Party of Korea had earlier raised allegations that suspicious financial flows involving a broker were detected in project funds paid to the manufacturer of the Han River bus, with some of that money potentially having been channeled to a senior executive at the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, which had been conducting its own internal audit, formally requested that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency open an investigation after the allegations were publicly raised during the national audit, partly on the basis of tips from employees within the city government.


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