Another prosecutor implicated in corruption case

Internal inspectors at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office are investigating another corruption case involving a prosecutor who allegedly introduced a suspect he was investigating to a law firm where his brother-in-law worked.

The inspectors raided the prosecutor’s office Monday and are looking into whether he took any illegal benefits in exchange for favorable treatment of the suspect, they said.

“The SPO is currently investigating a prosecutor suspected to have been involved in influence peddling,” said officials from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

The prosecutor, only known by his surname Park, allegedly introduced the suspect he had investigated to his brother-in-law. It is then suspected that the lawyer asked for a sum of money from the suspect.

It has not been confirmed that the brother-in-law received bribes for influence peddling, the officials said.

The alleged corruption case drew more criticism of the scandal-riddled prosecution which has been seeking ways to reforms.

The prosecution has been under fire for a series of bribery and sex scandals, which triggered the resignation of its prosecutor-general Monday.

Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae, who had taken office for 477 days, became the 11th chief of the investigation authority to step down during his term.

The prosecution was hit hard by a bribery scandal involving high ranking prosecutor Kim Kwang-jun, who received 900 million won ($826,000) from Cho Hee-pal, the biggest pyramid scheme operator, and other private firms.

Its reputation took another nose dive as trainee prosecutor Jeon Jae-mong was accused of having sex with a suspect under investigation.

Meanwhile, the resignation of Choi Jae-kyung, 50, the head of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Central Investigation Unit, was turned down Monday.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)