[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Police investigating allegations that the Chosun Ilbo manipulated its circulation numbers have conducted raids on recycling companies suspected of receiving the newspapers.
According to the police on the 1st, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency carried out raids on several recycling companies in the metropolitan area the previous day. It is reported that they secured transaction records exchanged between Chosun Ilbo distribution offices and the recycling companies.
The purpose of this police raid appears to be to verify the facts regarding allegations that newspapers printed to inflate paid circulation were handed over not to readers but to recycling companies and others.
The police raided Chosun Ilbo distribution offices on the 22nd and 23rd of last month. After analyzing the seized items, the police plan to summon and investigate officials from Chosun Ilbo and the Korea ABC Association.
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