Police Conduct Special Crackdown on Corruption Offenses... 3,840 Apprehended, 1,253 Referred to Prosecution Service

[Financial News] The police have apprehended nearly 4,000 individuals through a special crackdown on the Three Major Corruption Offenses, aiming to restore public trust in the public sector.
The National Office of Investigation of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced on the 13th that, from July to October this year, it designated Corruption in Public Office, Unfair Corruption, and safety-related corruption as the Three Major Corruption Offenses and conducted a special crackdown. As a result, a total of 3,840 individuals were apprehended, with 1,253 referred to the Prosecution Service. Thirty-one individuals facing serious charges were arrested.
By category, 2,592 were apprehended for Corruption in Public Office, with 485 referred to the Prosecution Service. Of the 672 apprehended for Unfair Corruption, 292 were referred. For safety-related corruption, 576 were apprehended, and 476 were referred. The rates were as follows: 32.6% referred, 15.5% closed, and 51.8% ongoing.
Specifically, in Corruption in Public Office, 1,127 were apprehended for financial scandal (193 referred), 600 for bribery (205 referred), 598 for Abuse of authority (78 referred), 257 for passive administration (6 referred), and 10 for Violation of Whistleblower Protection (3 referred).
In Unfair Corruption, 516 were apprehended for illegal kickback (259 referred), 154 for recruitment corruption (33 referred), and 2 for illegal dumping. In safety-related corruption, 551 were apprehended for poor construction (457 referred), and 25 for safety collusion (19 referred).
By status, public officials accounted for the largest group with 1,972 individuals, of whom 257 were referred to the Prosecution Service. This was followed by the private sector with 1,418 (824 referred), Solicitor or Provider with 236 (105 referred), Deemed Public Official with 165 (54 referred), and broker with 49 (13 referred).
During the special crackdown, major corruption cases were handled by establishing an investigation system centered on the Provincial Police Agency. As a result, 48.3% of all apprehended individuals were investigated directly by units such as the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit.
Even after the special crackdown ended, the police immediately transitioned to a second phase of the special crackdown, considering the risk of recurring corruption and the ongoing investigation of major cases. The crackdown period has been extended until March 2026.
A representative from the National Office of Investigation stated, "During the second phase of the special crackdown, we will intensify efforts to combat corruption, focusing on direct investigation units within the Provincial Police Agency. In addition to police efforts, public reports and tips are crucial, so we urge citizens to actively report to the 112 Police Emergency Number or the nearest police station."
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yu-ha Reporter