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| A patrol car is parked in front of Burning Sun nightclub in southern Seoul, which is at the center of allegations of drug trafficking, sexual violence and corrupt ties with police, Sunday, when the club decided to shut down amid the escalating suspicions. / Yonhap |
By Jung Hae-myoung
Police have confirmed several police officers received money from managers of Burning Sun, the nightclub in southern Seoul that is currently under investigation regarding drug use and sexual violence there.
This backs a claim by a customer who said the club and police officers in charge of the district had corrupt ties.
According to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Thursday, they have been questioning former and incumbent officers at the Gangnam Police Station and the Yeoksam precinct in charge of the district where Burning Sun is located, and booked some of them on suspicion of bribery, as they allegedly took money in return for covering up the club's allowing of minors to enter.
One of the people booked is a former officer at Gangnam station surnamed Kang, who allegedly played a key role in linking the club and the police. It is alleged the club managers offered money to the officers through Kang over a case in August involving the club allowing minors into the club. He was summoned for questioning on Thursday.
At the time, Gangnam police closed their investigation into the case, citing a lack of evidence.
A former worker of a cosmetics company, where Kang now works, told a local broadcaster that he delivered 20 million won ($17,700) in cash to Kang from a Burning Sun manager, and that the money was sent to five people. Kang later told him some of the money was sent to police officers, according to the report.
On Feb. 14, police searched the Yeoksam precinct and confiscated surveillance camera recordings from around the precinct and officers' body cameras, and other materials that might be linked to the bribery allegation.
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