Prosecutors Indict Former Tax Office Chief Yoon Woo-jin for Bribery to Halt Tax Investigation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former Seoul Yongsan Tax Office chief Yoon Woo-jin, accused of acting as a broker and receiving bribes to halt tax investigations, has been arrested and indicted.

According to the legal community on the 23rd, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Yong-hwan) indicted former chief Yoon on charges of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act while in custody on the 23rd.

The prosecution stated, "Investigations into the public officials targeted by the requests will continue."

Former chief Yoon is accused of receiving 130 million won from two individuals, including real estate developer Mr. A from the Incheon area, under the pretext of arranging favors with tax authorities between 2017 and 2018 (violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act). He is also suspected of receiving money last year from a corporation as a fee for legal service referrals.

The prosecution believes that former chief Yoon acted as a broker, receiving money from so-called "sponsors" such as businessmen and introducing legal professionals or tax officials.

Former chief Yoon is the elder brother of Yoon Dae-jin, Planning Director (Chief Prosecutor) at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, who was once a close aide to Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. He is also under investigation by the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lim Dae-hyuk) on charges including bribery.

The Criminal Division 13 is focusing on allegations that former chief Yoon received golf and other entertainment from meat importer Mr. Kim and others between 2010 and 2011, and that the prosecution dismissed a police search warrant when the police began investigating these matters.

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