Police Launch Additional Search and Seizure of NongHyup Central Association Over Misappropriation of Public Funds for Commemorative Gifts

Second Raid Conducted Just One Month After Mid-June

The police, who are investigating suspicions that the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup Central Association) used public funds such as foundation project expenses to purchase expensive commemorative gifts, have launched an additional search and seizure of the NongHyup Central Association headquarters just a month after the previous raid.

The Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the morning of July 21 that it was executing a search and seizure warrant at the Secretariat and other offices within the NongHyup Central Association headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. This marks the second compulsory investigation, following the first search and seizure conducted on June 12. The purpose is to secure related materials regarding the appropriateness of budget execution and the use of goods.

NongHyup Central Association Head Office. The Asia Business Daily Database

This search and seizure is part of an investigation into allegations that a department within the NongHyup Central Association used approximately 240 million won of project funds to purchase expensive commemorative gifts such as red ginseng products and cosmetics, which were then delivered to the president's and vice president's offices. The police plan to verify the actual recipients and whether the items were delivered based on the materials seized during the search.

Previously, the government conducted a special joint audit of NongHyup with the relevant ministries and referred 14 cases with potential legal violations—including misappropriation of public funds, preferential loans, and accounting fraud—identified at the central association, its affiliates, and member cooperatives, to the authorities for investigation.

The police are currently investigating whether those involved have violated any laws based on the results of the audit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.