Retired general to face embezzlement charges

SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- Military prosecutors said Thursday they have found evidence of embezzlement during an investigation into a retired one-star Army officer and asked civilian prosecutors to press charges against him.
The suspect, identified only by his surname Lee, was accused of allegedly stealing 47 million won (US$43,498) from military funds between 2007 and 2008 while he was serving as an active-duty colonel.
Lee siphoned the money from various funds for rank-and-file soldiers, including budgets earmarked to buy food items and office devices, military prosecutors said.
Lee also allegedly used the money to buy gift certificates and lobbied high-ranking officers to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general, prosecutors said.
He was promoted to the rank in December last year, but voluntarily retired two months later after prosecutors launched the probe against him.
The investigation began in January after an anonymous tip within the military, but military prosecutors had already closed the case, citing Lee's voluntary resignation.
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, however, ordered military prosecutors to reopen the probe after a series of media allegations.
Military prosecutors also recommended that Kim rebuke the ministry's top investigator for allegedly neglecting his duty during the probe.
The two-star Army officer at the Criminal Investigation Command was suspected of trying to swiftly close the case for an unspecified reason by persuading Lee to retire, according to military prosecutors.
South Korea's military has often been under criticism for scandals involving allegations of top brass receiving bribes for promoting colonels.