Police investigate allegations that NongHyup chief received tens of millions of won in condolence money

Police have begun investigating allegations that NongHyup chairman Kang Ho-dong received more than 100 million won in condolence money from current and former NongHyup employees at his mother-in-law’s funeral last May.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s anti-corruption investigation unit detected the alleged payments while examining evidence seized during a July search of the NongHyup central office secretariat, according to police and other officials.

NongHyup Central Association is designated as a public-related organization under the Public Service Ethics Act, so its employees fall under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The law bars covered employees from receiving money or other valuables worth more than 1 million won from the same person in a single instance, or more than 3 million won in a fiscal year. Funeral and wedding gifts are capped at 50,000 won, while wreaths and similar floral arrangements are limited to 100,000 won.

Police are also investigating other allegations connected to NongHyup, including possible embezzlement and receipt of money by Kang, as well as claims that some NongHyup departments bought commemorative gifts costing hundreds of millions of won.