Prosecutors raid environmental group headquarters

By Kim Boram

SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Friday raided the headquarters of a leading environmental organization whose head is charged with embezzlement and misappropriation.

Scores of investigators confiscated computer hard disks and accounting books at
the Korea Green Foundation (KGF) in central Seoul in the midst of a probe into
allegations that its chief, Choi Yul, diverted corporate and public donations to
stock investments over the past five years.
Choi, widely regarded as synonymous with South Korea's civic activism, stepped
down as general director of the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement
(KFEM) in 2003. He then moved on to lead KGF while maintaining his link to KFEM
up until 2005 as co-chairman and adviser.
The charges against Choi date to his activities while at KFEM. He is suspected of
having deposited corporate and public contributions into dozens of bank accounts
held under false names since 2004 and using them for private gain.
"We searched the office to further investigate the charges in connection with the
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM)," said an official at the
Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
Prosecutors are tracking down the flow of billions of won and are planning to
question him Thursday on embezzlement allegations. Choi was banned from overseas
travel late last month.
In his defense, Choi claims he had no access to KFEM's financial documents after
resigning as general director in 2003.
An executive of KFEM was also taken into custody on Saturday on charges of
misappropriating some 900 million won (US$680,000) donated by citizens to clean
up South Korea's oil-contaminated west coast last year. Investigators believe the
executive spent part of the money to buy a new car.
On Thursday, KFEM members apologized for the irregularities and corruption of
former and incumbent officials and promised to carry out a radical reform and
restructuring of the organization.