Police Distribute Lunar New Year Gifts and Raid Gangjin County Office Over Public Officials' Real Estate Speculation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the morning of the 9th, the police conducted a sudden search and seizure at the Gangjin County Office in Jeonnam.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Team 2 of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency dispatched investigators early that morning to Gangjin County, conducting search and seizure operations at about 20 locations, including the Gangjin County Mayor's Secretariat and local businesses.

According to the police, Lee Seung-ok, the mayor of Gangjin County, is suspected of distributing gifts worth about 40 million won to approximately 800 people, including village chiefs, Saemaeul leaders, and women's association heads in the area ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

During this process, it is known that public officials who were specially hired during the 2018 local elections to assist him delivered the goods using official vehicles.

In particular, in Omcheon-myeon, gifts were delivered through the local post office, which was also subject to a search and seizure operation conducted in early last month.

Separately, the police have also uncovered corruption allegations against public official A and are reportedly searching offices of related local businesses in connection with this.

A is suspected of obtaining advance information about the development of the Gawudo tourist complex in Gangjin County together with local daily newspaper reporter B and purchasing real estate in the area beforehand.

In addition, investigations are underway regarding allegations that A was involved in various contracts in Gangjin County to gain benefits.

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