The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, July 4, 2022 | 14:08
Law & Crime
Ex-Kangwon Land CEO arrested over cronyism
Posted : 2017-12-01 15:07
Updated : 2017-12-01 19:07
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Jung Min-ho

Choi Heung-jip
Choi Heung-jip
Choi Heung-jip, former CEO of casino operator Kangwon Land, has been arrested on charges of influence peddling to hire certain people at the request of politicians and local bigwigs.

The Chuncheon District Court in Gangwon Province issued an arrest warrant Thursday night for him, citing the risk of destruction of evidence.

Dozens of suspects who allegedly asked him for favors, including Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol and Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, are soon expected to face questioning by the prosecution.

The court has also issued an arrest warrant for Yeom's 45-year-old secretary, surnamed Park, who allegedly blackmailed a company official who was not cooperating with them.

Among 5,200 people who applied for jobs at the company between 2012 and 2013, only 518 succeeded in getting hired, thanks allegedly to their corrupt ties to powerful people.

Notably, Kweon is suspected of helping his former secretary, surnamed Kim, get a manager-level job for checking water quality at the casino. Even though he was unqualified for the position, which required at least five years of relevant experience, he got it with ease after Choi allegedly ordered officials to hire him ahead of 33 other applicants.

According to a Kangwon Land personnel affairs official, the company had a list of people it "should hire" before other candidates.

Choi refused to answer questions from reporters as he exited the court following the decision.

Prosecutors have also come under criticism for previously concluding their first investigation without properly investigating the former CEO and the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, 23 people who failed to get jobs there during that period have filed a damages suit against Kangwon Land, alleging the company used them to make the process seem fair when it was not.

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a civic group which is helping them, said it was a textbook example of corruption in hiring, which is still prevalent in the country.

Kangwon Land is not the only company embroiled in a cronyism scandal these days.

Over the past few months, prosecutors and police have been looking into many other firms facing similar allegations. Their latest target is Home and Shopping, a local home shopping company.

In an effort to resolve the longstanding issue, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission set up a report center for such crimes last month.




Emailmj6c2@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Declining approval rating feared to dampen Yoon's political drive
  • Korea's bio industry at turning point after pandemic
  • Can Chinese demand cushion blow of US recession on Asian economies?
  • Concerns grow over COVID-19 resurgence
  • More than six out of 10 South Koreans willing to fight for country
  • Umbrella union stages massive rallies in Seoul amid scorching heat
  • Not just another crypto-bubble
  • Inflation expected to accelerate further in 2nd half
  • Japanese media focuses on Yoon's 'sales diplomacy'
  • Korea loses money in trade with China
  • Cha Eun-woo eyes starring role in 'K-Pop: Lost in America' Cha Eun-woo eyes starring role in 'K-Pop: Lost in America'
  • BTS' J-Hope tops iTunes charts in 84 countries BTS' J-Hope tops iTunes charts in 84 countries
  • Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN
  • Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after childbirth Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after childbirth
  • BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group