[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung) conducted a search and seizure at the office of a Hyundai Motor employee.
On the 1st, prosecutors sent investigative personnel to Mr. A's office within the Hyundai-Kia Motors headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, and secured related materials such as PC hard disks.
During the investigation into allegations of Hyundai Motor concealing engine defects, prosecutors identified circumstances in which investigation information leaked to Mr. A, and reportedly shifted the internal audit to a criminal investigation for breach of official secrecy.
A prosecutor official stated, "This is not a search and seizure targeting the company or department, and it is difficult to confirm specific charges or details."
Meanwhile, last July, prosecutors indicted former Vice Chairman Shin Jong-woon (68), former Head of Quality Division Bang Chang-seop (60), and former Head of Quality Strategy Office Lee Mo (61) without detention on charges of violating the Automobile Management Act for knowing about problems with the Theta II engines applied to key models such as the Grandeur, Sonata, and K5, but hiding the issue until government investigations and failing to take post-measures such as recalls.
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