Prosecutors Investigate Broker and Former Financial Supervisory Service Employee Over 'Optimus Lobbying Allegations'

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution investigating the lobbying allegations related to Optimus Asset Management (Optimus) has summoned a former Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) employee for questioning. The employee is suspected of receiving bribes from Kim Jaehyun, the CEO of Optimus Asset Management.

According to the prosecution on the 28th, the Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jumincheol) conducted a search and seizure on the office and residence of broker Kim, who had received 20 million KRW in lobbying funds from CEO Kim and promised to deliver it to former FSS employee A in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province on the 27th. Former FSS employee A was also summoned and investigated.

Earlier, on the 22nd, the prosecution also conducted a search and seizure at the office of Hwaseong Industrial, the largest shareholder company of ship supplies manufacturer Haeduck Powerway, located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, as well as at the residence of its CEO Park and related business partners. Haeduck Powerway is the company implicated in the no-capital merger and acquisition allegations involving Optimus.