Prosecution Dismisses Arrest Warrant for Nonghyup Chairman Kang Ho-dong Over Alleged Bribery

An arrest warrant requested by the police for Nonghyup Chairman Kang Ho-dong, who is suspected of receiving around 100 million won in illegal funds, has been dismissed by the prosecution.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Non-Indictment Review Division 1 announced today (the 6th) that it dismissed the arrest warrants requested by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for Chairman Kang and a supplier representative, identified as A.

This decision comes three days after the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Bureau requested the arrest warrants on the 3rd of this month.

The prosecution judged that the key allegations against the suspects had not been sufficiently substantiated to warrant requesting arrest warrants.

It also explained that considering the progress of the investigation, which has lasted for over a year and six months, and the suspects' compliance with summonses, it is difficult to recognize the necessity and justification for detention at this stage.

The prosecution stated that it reached this decision after calling in Chairman Kang for questioning yesterday afternoon and closely reviewing the evidence gathered by the police.

Chairman Kang is suspected of receiving more than 100 million won in funds around January 2024, during the election season, from the representative of a service provider that has business dealings with Nonghyup affiliates.

The police have suspected that the supplier representative delivered the money in two installments at a time when Kang was widely expected to win, possibly asking for business favors in return.

In addition, the police have been investigating allegations of internal fund embezzlement.

This involves allegations that certain departments within the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation purchased expensive return gifts using public funds from 2024 to last year and delivered them to the chairman's and vice chairman's offices.

Furthermore, the police are investigating Chairman Kang under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act regarding hundreds of millions of won in condolence money he received in May of last year on the occasion of his mother-in-law's funeral.

If a quid pro quo related to official duties such as personnel appointments is proven, bribery charges can be applied.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.