Regulator suspends internal probe into leaked documents

Korea's antitrust regulator said Wednesday that it will suspend an internal probe apparently launched to find those who leaked documents on bidding fraud in connection with the multi-trillion won project to refurbish the nation's four major rivers.

The suspension came as some lawmakers have claimed that the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has violated the law designed to protect whistle blowers who come forward for the sake of public interest.

The internal probe became known following allegations by Rep. Kim Ki-sik of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), who claims that the FTC "systematically" concealed findings about bidding fraud linked to the four-rivers restoration project.

He also claimed that the watchdog consulted with the presidential office on how to handle the investigation into the fraud.

The 22 trillion won project to refurbish the four rivers -- the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan -- is one of President Lee Myung-bak's trademark projects, aimed at preventing floods and enhancing the nation's overall water management.

However, it has also been at the center of controversy over its possible adverse effects on the environment, with many environmental experts and civic groups claiming that dams built for the river refurbishment project have damaged the ecosystem.

The allegations were based on FTC documents obtained by Rep. Kim of the DUP. He believes that the internal probe must have been aimed at finding those who are behind the leak.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Kim and his fellow lawmakers visited the FTC office in Seoul and asked for an immediate halt to the internal probe, saying that it is in violation of the law to protect people who come forward for the sake of public interest.

The FTC argued that the probe has nothing to do with the four-river project, but is related to an official who leaked a large volume of documents September last year. The watchdog said that it will suspend the probe anyway until Oct. 23, when the parliamentary audit comes to an end.

Doubt about the real intent of the probe, however, has not easily gone away despite the explanation. A high-ranking FTC official has confirmed that the probe has found that two of the three documents unveiled by the lawmaker were among those leaked last September. (Yonhap)