By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

Prosecutors investigating a government office dealing with the relocation of U.S. military bases in Korea arrested an official involved in the project, Thursday, for taking bribes from a builder.

The builder allegedly asked the official to arrange a deal with municipal governments so that his company could participate in a project to destroy buildings in the bases after soldiers moved out.

The arrested official received a bribe of 40 million won from the firm's owner, the prosecution said. He has reportedly denied taking any money.

Investigators also raided his office and seized computer files and documents.

The office is under the wing of the Ministry of National Defense, but investigators have not found anyone from the military involved in the case.

About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed here and the U.S. military is working with the Korean government to move most of its frontline bases to south of Seoul.

Since 2006, Korea has supported the relocation and handled the land scheduled to be returned by the U.S. military ― over 160 square kilometers.

The demolition work should start after U.S. soldiers are relocated to new bases. Negotiations are currently under way on when they will complete the relocation.

The defense ministry said municipal governments, not the military oversee the work.

The arrested official has allegedly maintained close relationships with a number of construction firms. Prosecutors said they have secured evidence that he took a total of 200 million won from the firms.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr