Probe escalates into KEPCO bribery scandal

By Lee Kyung-min

Police raided a regional office of the Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, and the homes of its workers, Tuesday, as part of an escalating investigation into a bribery scandal involving the state-run power company.

The regional office is facing allegations that it attempted to pay a total of 17 million won ($16,400) in bribes to seven residents opposing the firm’s plan to construct high-voltage electricity transmission towers in the region. The money was delivered through the chief of Cheongdo Police Station ahead of the Chuseok holiday, but the residents turned it down, and revealed the bribery attempt to the media.

Investigators said they have seized computers and financial documents through the raid.

The residents claim that the money was given in an attempt to sway some of the residents into agreeing to the construction project, which had been suspended for two years.

The locals have been virulently opposing KEPCO’s plan saying it poses serious health risk such as cancer and leukemia, and they also cited property devaluation if the project was approved.

During the investigation, the manager said that the money was his own, and not from the company.

Casting doubt on his remarks, the police said they would expand the investigation based on the possibility that KEPCO earmarked some cash to bribe some of the locals.

Meanwhile, KEPCO officials also allegedly attempted to bribe residents in Mirayng, South Gyeongsang Province, where the firm has been in conflict with several villages over its plan to build the transmission towers

A group of residents opposing the construction of the towers alleged Monday that a KEPCO official, in February, tried to give 10 million won ($9,600) to a villager who was running for an election that would appoint local agriculture federation members if elected.

The group alleged that the KEPCO official gave the money to a village head, and asked him to deliver it to the candidate.

The group said that the village head pocketed 2 million won ($1,920) himself, and tried to give the rest of the 8 million won ($7,700) to the candidate on Feb. 12, but the candidate refused to take it.

The group said they will ask the police to launch an investigation.