By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution sought a detention warrant Monday for a Korean Immigration Service (KIS) official who allegedly accepted money from foreigners in exchange for extending their visas.
According to the Seoul Southern Prosecutors’ Office, the official, surnamed Kim, 42, received a total of 11 million won ($10,000) from 20 foreigners ― most of whom are Chinese nationals ― and renewed their visas from February 2012 to December last year.
The prosecution could charge Kim with forging official documents and bribery.
The investigation is based on a complaint from the KIS, which previously conducted an internal probe into bribery cases.
Alongside Kim, the prosecution is also investigating a visa broker who provided assistance to him.
The 32-year-old female broker, whose identity was withheld, allegedly introduced Kim to foreigners who sought visa extensions, and charged commission for referrals illegally, the prosecution said.
The prosecution believes that the broker overcharged the foreigners and helped Kim pocket some of the money.
Already, the prosecution has secured evidence from the seized bank accounts of Kim and the female broker, with records of suspicious money transfers between the two.
The prosecution said the broker has denied the charges, but her testimony has lacked consistency.
She initially admitted to forging documents but denied receiving bribes, saying that she did not have any intent to commit a crime.
Later, she said she inadvertently wrote false information during drafting up the documents, saying doing so was just a mistake.
The Ministry of Justice said any internal investigation and punishment given to officials will be determined after the prosecution’s probe is concluded.
“The workers in question are being investigated. Their charges are not yet proven,” a ministry official said.
“As soon as determination is made on their guilt or innocence, they will face due punishment in accordance with the law governing public officials misconduct,” the official added.
In response to such illegality involving visa extensions, the ministry plans to beef up regulation on document forgery with the purpose of extending visas.
Currently, those who commit such crimes are subject to a fine of up to 500,000 won.
The ministry plans to increase the fine by up to 20 million won or a prison sentence of up to three years.