Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Seoul Urban Infrastructure Headquarters Over Allegations of Preferential Contracting for Park Deokheum

Independent Assemblyman Park Deok-heum / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The police conducted a search and seizure at the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Infrastructure Headquarters in connection with allegations of preferential awarding of public construction contracts to independent lawmaker Park Deok-heum.

According to the police on the 1st, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency carried out a search and seizure at the office of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Infrastructure Headquarters located in Jung-gu, Seoul, starting around 4 p.m. on the 31st. The search lasted approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. This is the first time the police have taken compulsory investigative measures regarding the allegations of preferential contract awards involving lawmaker Park.

The search was conducted to secure materials related to complaints filed twice by civic groups accusing Park of abuse of authority, violations of the Anti-Corruption Act, and the Public Officials Ethics Act. Park is suspected of having secured public construction contracts worth several hundred billion won through construction companies registered under his family's name while serving for six years on the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee since 2012.

After analyzing the seized items, the police plan to summon related individuals for questioning. Park, who was formerly affiliated with the People Power Party, left the party in September last year amid the controversy.

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