Police Conduct Investigation of Individuals Related to 'KDDX Project Corruption Allegations'

The police announced on the 29th that they are conducting investigations into those involved in the corruption related to the trillion-won next-generation Korean destroyer (KDDX) project.

Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, explained at a regular press briefing that “based on materials secured through two rounds of raids, investigations are underway involving related parties, including former Defense Acquisition Program Administration chief Wang Jeong-hong,” adding, “the investigation has progressed to a certain extent.”

Last August, the police raided the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in connection with allegations of bid-rigging in the KDDX project, known as the ‘mini Aegis ship,’ and in January of this year, they raided former chief Wang’s residence.

Hanwha Ocean filed a complaint against HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is competing for the KDDX project, in March last year on charges of violating the Military Secrets Protection Act, and later filed additional complaints for bid interference.

Hanwha Ocean is advancing the project after winning the conceptual design phase, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries secured the basic design phase. It was discovered that nine employees of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries illegally obtained Hanwha Ocean’s KDDX reports, according to the circumstances.

Director Woo stated, “We are conducting the investigation by merging the two cases.”

Additionally, the police have launched a preliminary investigation into eight baseball players, including those affiliated with the Doosan Bears, who are suspected of having sleep medication prescribed on their behalf by former professional baseball player Oh Jae-won.

When asked whether the investigation might expand comprehensively to the Doosan baseball team, Director Woo said, “We need to first verify the basic facts regarding the eight individuals and then consider the direction.”

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