Prosecutors raid medical association over alleged lobbying

Posted on : 2007-04-25 21:29 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST

Prosecutors raided the office of the country's largest lobbying group for medical doctors Wednesday and seized materials on alleged illegal donations to politicians.

The Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office said it sent about eight investigators to the office of the Korean Medical Association to search for and seize accounting books and computer files.

The action followed a local TV report on a transcript of last month's meeting of the association's leadership in which the group's President Jhang Dong-ik said he regularly gave cash to some legislators to influence legislation.

In the transcript carried by the public broadcaster KBS, Jhang said he gave 2 million won (US$2,156) each to three lawmakers -- two from the main opposition Grand National Party and one from the pro-government Uri Party -- every month and 10 million won to another lawmaker to press for or block legislation connected to the association's interests.

Jhang also said he won the favor of the aides of several GNP lawmakers by buying them drinks and paid for golf outings for Ministry of Health and Welfare officials.

He offered to resign "to take responsibility for causing trouble" Wednesday, although he denied the alleged bribery.

Jhang has been under investigation on embezzlement charges since September last year.

Seoul, April 25 (Yonhap News)