“He Took Money for Drinks, Claiming He Would Help with the Business,” Then Went Silent... Police Investigate

[Financial News] Police have launched an investigation after receiving a complaint seeking punishment for a man in his 50s who allegedly received several million won on the pretext that he would use his political connections to “help the business succeed,” then cut off contact.
Saha Police Station in Busan said on the 7th that it had received a complaint seeking punishment for a man identified as A, in his 50s, on suspicion of fraud and was verifying the facts. According to the complaint, A approached B, a man in his 20s, last year and demanded approximately 2 million won, claiming he would use his political connections to help B’s business succeed.
B claims the money was intended to cover the cost of wining and dining politicians to facilitate the enactment of an ordinance. An ordinance had to be enacted for the local government to provide subsidies to B’s business, and A allegedly demanded money from B to pay for drinks with a sitting politician who had the authority to make that happen. A then allegedly used the money after receiving it.
However, B says he received no further contact from A after providing the money. In the meantime, B closed the business because of a lack of operating funds. A is understood to have told police that he would return all the money he received. Reporters contacted A to hear his side, but he did not provide any substantive response.
B, the complainant, said, “A is an older acquaintance who graduated from the same middle school, and I had known him for some time. I understand that he is currently a Taekwondo instructor and serves as an association examiner.” B urged severe punishment, saying, “It is shameless that he took money claiming he would help with the business, made no further contact, and is only now saying he will return it after I filed the complaint.”
B also protested that the police showed no willingness to investigate, claiming that officers instead urged him to reach an “amicable settlement” even though A had failed to keep his promises for a long time. A police official said, “The case was formally booked last month, and the investigation is under way. We plan to determine whether the allegations are substantiated after verifying the facts through analysis of recordings and other evidence.”
Meanwhile, A is reportedly said to have attempted to provide hospitality involving alcohol to three political figures: a sitting district council member, a National Assembly member, and a former district mayor.
[email protected] Baek Chang-hoon Reporter