Four arrested at top military compound for alleged graft: official

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- Four were arrested and 11 other personnel booked in an
expanding investigation into allegations of graft at the top military compound in
central South Korea, an official said Monday.
The defense ministry launched the investigation last month after a local
broadcaster said officials at the Gyeryong compound in South Chungcheong Province
took bribes for deals with local providers of office supplies.
The compound is home to the headquarters of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
The report was based on an interview with a Navy lieutenant commander who said he
received unfair treatment within his unit for being a whistle-blower.
Kim Yong-ki, a retired major general overseeing the investigation, said in a
briefing that four personnel, including a Navy captain and a Marine colonel, have
been arrested on charges of receiving bribes for either arranging the deals or
interfering in the initial internal investigation into them.
In the interim report, Kim said that eleven other personnel, including civilian
employees, were also being questioned for alleged involvement in the case that
came under the spotlight when the defense minister ordered a renewed probe after
the report.
Investigators arrested a civilian official and a Navy colonel last month in
connection with the charges, having traced their bank accounts to verify
allegations.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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