Former North Chungcheong Governor Kim Young-hwan sent to prosecutors on suspicion of receiving tens of millions of won in cash

Former North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan has been sent to prosecutors on charges of receiving tens of millions of won in bribes from a business executive involved in the province's sports community. The investigation follows a year of coercive police action into allegations of receiving cash envelopes and other benefits.

The North Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit announced on August 11 that Kim was sent to prosecutors on charges of bribery and violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Kim is accused of receiving two cash envelopes totaling 11 million won in April and June of last year from a business executive who also serves as an executive in the province's sports community. He is also accused of having the same executive pay 20 million won for the renovation of his rural retreat in August 2024.

Police suspect Kim provided preferential treatment to this business executive, who was involved in the province's smart farm project. Police searched Kim's office at the North Chungcheong Provincial Government and his rural retreat in August of last year as part of the investigation. Kim was summoned and questioned by police twice in October and December of last year.

During the investigation, Kim denied the allegations, stating, "I have not done anything shameful to the citizens. The police investigation has the nature of a conspiracy to catch a sitting governor." Kim ran for a second term in the June 2022 local elections but lost. Prosecutors have also sent three other executives from the province's sports community, who allegedly gave the money to Kim, to prosecutors on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and bribery.

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I have not done anything shameful to the citizens. The police investigation has the nature of a conspiracy to catch a sitting governor.