Building broker quizzed over sex bribery scandal

By Kim Jae-won

Yun Jung-cheon, a construction broker, enters the main office of the National Police Agency in central Seoul, Thursday. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

Police said Thursday they questioned Yun Jung-cheon, a construction broker, over allegations he hired women to provide sexual favors to a number of high-profile figures in return for business benefits.

Nine people, including former and incumbent high-ranking government officials and the head of a hospital, allegedly received sexual services from about a dozen women hired by the 52-year-old businessman.

Yun appeared at the office building of the National Police Agency (NPA) in central Seoul around 12:30 p.m. and told reporters the allegations were untrue, before entering the building.

It was his first appearance before police since the probe began two months ago. The investigation forced former vice justice minister Kim Hak-eui to step down from his post in March a few weeks after his inauguration, after local media reported he was involved in the scandal.

Kim denied the allegations, but police banned him from leaving the country last week.

Recorded footage also allegedly show intimate encounters between the officials and the women at Yun’s luxury vacation home in Wonju, Gangwon Province, some 130 kilometers east of Seoul.

A conglomerate owner is also reported to be involved, as local media reported Thursday that police seized recordings in which the owner of a conglomerate has sexual relationships with two women.

Yun told reporters he does now know about the recordings and denied any relations with the former vice justice minister.

Police questioned him over whether he committed illegal acts while trying to win construction contracts and whether the officials provided favors in return for sexual services, according to police officers close to the investigation.