The prosecution investigating allegations of 'employment favoritism' surrounding Korea Integrated Logistics, a subsidiary of CJ Group, has conducted additional raids.
The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) sent prosecutors and investigators on the 13th to secure personnel-related documents at the offices of Korea Integrated Logistics, its parent company CJ Logistics, and the residences of executives and employees.
The prosecution is investigating on the suspicion that former Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee, who served from 2018 to 2022, his chief secretary, and Lee Hak-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with his aides, improperly exerted influence to get acquaintances employed at Korea Integrated Logistics. It is known that due to this request, Lee's special aide for his constituency was hired as a standing advisor for three years starting in 2019, and a constituency advisory committee member was also hired last year, each receiving annual salaries amounting to tens of millions of won.
The prosecution launched the raid to obtain related documents to determine the procedures by which these individuals were employed. Since CJ Logistics, as the parent company of Korea Integrated Logistics, is believed to have been partially involved in the hiring process, its offices were included in the raid targets.
The prosecution also suspects that former Mayor Han and Representative Lee linked the employment requests to the local issue of relocating the integrated logistics center.
Former Mayor Han promised to relocate the center after residents' complaints about traffic congestion increased due to the growing volume of parcel deliveries, and in 2021, he met with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport along with Representative Lee to request the relocation of the center.
Previously, starting on the 1st of last month, the prosecution conducted raids on Gunpo City Hall, Representative Lee Hak-young's residence and constituency office, and the National Assembly's communication office's legislative data distribution system to secure related evidence. On the 16th of last month, former Mayor Han and his former chief secretary were summoned and investigated as suspects.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
