Defense Acquisition Program Administration Raided... This Time CCTV Supply Corruption Detected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Army Central Investigation Unit (hereinafter referred to as the Central Investigation Unit) conducted a search and seizure at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) after detecting misconduct in the selection process of a supplier for military surveillance equipment, specifically closed-circuit television (CCTV).

According to military officials, the Central Investigation Unit, under the direction of civilian prosecutors, carried out the search and seizure at DAPA this morning in connection with the "Critical Facility Surveillance System Project."

This project involves the installation of scientific equipment such as short-range cameras and fence detection devices responsible for guarding critical facilities of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Ministry of National Defense direct units by 2024. It is known to have been actively pursued since 2018.

Prosecutors and the military have confirmed indications that Company A, which won the "Critical Facility Surveillance System Project" led by DAPA, manipulated some documents, including test reports, during the selection process. Accordingly, the Central Investigation Unit secured documents related to the supplier selection from the Scientific System Project Team of DAPA’s project department through the search and seizure.

While the investigation into Company A is being conducted separately by civilian prosecutors, the Central Investigation Unit is also expected to investigate whether there was any corruption within DAPA during the supplier selection process based on the materials obtained through the search and seizure.

A DAPA official stated, "DAPA has been sincerely cooperating with requests for investigation materials even before the search and seizure, and is actively cooperating with the current investigation as well," adding, "No DAPA employees are suspects, and the investigation (search and seizure) is limited to the submission of related materials."

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