Prosecutors Raid KOICA... Arrest Warrant for Former Director on Bribery Charges (Comprehensive)

KOICA headquarters.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The prosecution has launched a forced investigation related to the former standing director of KOICA, who is accused of receiving hundreds of millions of won from executives and employees in exchange for personnel favors.

On the morning of the 3rd, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office sent prosecutors and investigators to KOICA's office in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to conduct a search and seizure.

Additionally, the prosecution filed an arrest warrant on the same day for the former director Song Mo, who was in charge of KOICA's personnel and contract affairs for nearly three years from 2018, and is accused of receiving hundreds of millions of won to appoint acquaintances as executives and subsidiary representatives.

At the end of last year, the Board of Audit and Inspection requested the prosecution to investigate the former director on three charges, including bribery. They also requested an investigation into 15 executives on charges of bribery.

The Board of Audit and Inspection revealed that, as a result of an on-site audit of KOICA conducted from March to April last year, Song was found to have received 385 million won from 22 executives and employees while concurrently holding the position of personnel committee chairman, which gave him full authority over personnel and contract matters from 2018 to 2020. It was further confirmed that 293 million won was received from 15 of them in exchange for executive appointments, promotions, transfers, and contracts.