[National Assembly Audit Hot Figure] Jeon Jongdeok Releases Audio Recordings on Corruption Allegations Against National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Chairman

National Assembly Audit by Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans & Fisheries Committee
Corruption at Local Agricultural Cooperatives Highlighted
Calls for Improvements to Internal Control Systems

Assemblyman Jeon Jongdeok of the Progressive Party persistently pursued allegations of bribery involving Kang Hodong, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, during the National Assembly's audit of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee on October 24. He not only pointed out corruption issues within the central federation but also highlighted problems in regional agricultural cooperatives, calling for improvements to internal control systems.

On the same day, Assemblyman Lee Manhee of the People Power Party, along with Assemblymembers Lim Mi-ae and Yoon Junbyung of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised a series of questions regarding various corruption allegations against Chairman Kang. However, Kang avoided giving a direct answer, stating, "Since the matter is currently under police investigation, it is not appropriate to comment here." Kang is under police investigation on suspicion of receiving approximately 100 million won during the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation election process.

Yonhap News Agency

The lackluster atmosphere of the audit shifted dramatically when Assemblyman Jeon released related audio recordings. He revealed specific details, such as the locations and amounts involved in the alleged bribery, and played a recording of an acquaintance of the head of a National Agricultural Cooperative Federation subcontractor, who was identified as the provider of the bribe. Regarding the allegation that Chairman Kang received 20 million won in 2022 while serving as head of the Yulgok Cooperative, Jeon also played a recording from the individual who allegedly provided the money. Jeon pressed, "If the election corruption allegations within the cooperative are proven, are you willing to resign?" Kang replied, "I am deeply sorry," adding, "I will clearly address that matter, including the possibility of resignation, during the course of the investigation."

Assemblyman Jeon also addressed corruption issues within regional agricultural cooperatives. He brought up the case of Kim Chunggi, head of the Seoul Central Agricultural Cooperative, who allegedly distributed gold bars during the 2023 cooperative head election, as well as allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power by the head of the Janghang Agricultural Cooperative. Jeon did not stop at merely mentioning these suspicions but also questioned what follow-up actions had been taken by the regional cooperatives after investigations began. He stated, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is moving to expel a cooperative member who requested an audit of Mr. Kim, but this process should be halted," and pointed out, "Even in the Janghang Cooperative, there has not been any separation between the perpetrator and the victim." Jeon argued, "The reason the cooperative has become a hotbed of corruption is the collapse of internal controls," and called for fundamental reforms to systems such as the audit committee and personnel committee. He demanded the inclusion of external members in the audit committee, mandatory open recruitment, and secret ballots for executive elections.

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