'Fair Trade Commission Lobbying Allegations' Police Investigation Accelerates... Key Figure in Leak of Investigation Information Summoned

Sajo Industries and Kumho Asiana Involved
Received Entertainment via Broker and Leaked Internal Information Including Investigation Schedule
Investigation Nearing End... Additional Summons Expected

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been confirmed that the police, who are investigating allegations that current and former Fair Trade Commission (FTC) officials received bribes and leaked investigation information, recently summoned a key figure in the case suspected of violating official secrets.

According to the police on the 5th, the Serious Crime Investigation Division of the National Police Agency, which is investigating this case, recently summoned FTC official A as a suspect on charges of violating official secrets. The police reportedly examined the circumstances and details of how investigation information was leaked from A. A National Police Agency official stated, "Some have completed their summons investigation, and some will be summoned later," adding, "Additional summons may also take place."

Currently, a total of four current and former FTC officials have been registered as suspects by the police in connection with this case. Among them, three are former officials and one is a current official, including senior executives. They are suspected of providing various information, including investigation schedules, to broker Yoon, who served as a private advisory member of the FTC. A, who was recently summoned, is considered a key figure in the case as they are suspected of leaking official secrets and actually providing information such as the FTC’s investigation schedule. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether A is a former or current FTC official.

The police believe that broker Yoon approached companies, promising to reduce fines imposed by the FTC, demanded money and gifts, and obtained investigation information by providing entertainment such as alcohol and golf to current and former FTC officials. Companies involved with Yoon include Sajo Industries and Kumho Asiana. Kumho Asiana is suspected of obtaining internal information such as the review schedule through Yoon when it faced an FTC investigation in 2018 due to the so-called 'in-flight meal crisis.' The police also believe that Sajo Industries obtained related information through Yoon when it was subject to an FTC investigation over allegations that it forced employees to purchase and sell the company’s holiday gift sets. Yoon was previously arrested in September and has since been transferred to the prosecution.

Among the four FTC officials registered by the police, two were first referred to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on charges of bribery. The police judged that entertainment and hospitality were indeed provided to the FTC officials. Since the facts related to the lobbying have already been confirmed, the police investigation appears to be in its final stages. The police plan to focus their final investigative efforts on confirming the specific details of the information leakage route from the FTC → Yoon → companies. A National Police Agency official said, "We will speed up the investigation to complete it within the year."

Meanwhile, the selection process and moral verification of external advisory members of the FTC have also come under scrutiny in connection with this case. Regarding this, the FTC stated, "Private advisory members mainly focus on policy-related advisory roles and are not related to case handling. Any acts of helping or seeking help in case handling are clearly illegal and punishable," adding, "We plan to comprehensively review whether there are any problems in the verification of external advisory member appointments and the operation of the advisory committee."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.