Prosecutors seek arrest of state power company official over bribery

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday that they sought an arrest
warrant for a ranking official at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), a
state-run power company, for allegedly taking bribes from a U.S.-based valve
supplier.
The suspect, identified only by his family name Hur, is suspected of pocketing 60
million won (US$40,900) in cash from an official at a California-based valve
company, identified only by its initial "C," in April 2004 in exchange for
business favors, prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office
said.
KHNP produces roughly 40 percent of South Korea's electrical power.
The investigation began after a former finance official of the U.S. firm pleaded
guilty earlier this month in a U.S. court to passing out some $628,000 to bribe
government officials in China, South Korea, Romania and Saudi Arabia to secure
businesses from state-owned enterprises in those countries.
Prosecutors said some executives at the U.S. company's branch in Seoul are also
under investigation, noting the Seoul branch is suspected of having initially
requested the funds from the headquarters to organize the alleged bribery.
Following the outbreak of the allegation last week, KHNP requested prosecutors to
investigate the matter, citing their lack of authority to check personal bank
accounts of employees.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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