The Korea Herald

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Prosecutors search for evidence against agro body chief

By Korea Herald

Published : June 17, 2016 - 14:39

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[THE INVESTOR] The prosecution raided the office and home of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation chairman Kim Byeong-won on June 17 on suspicion of illegal activities during the election campaign.

The NACF is Korea’s largest agroindustry body that counts NongHyup Financial Group among its affiliates. Its chairman is elected among chiefs of regional branches who run for office.

NACF chairman Kim Byeong-won. NACF chairman Kim Byeong-won.

The prosecution suspects that Kim took part in illegal campaign activities during the election earlier this year.

He is suspected of being involved in sending text messages calling on 107 delegates for support, sent by Choi Duk-gyu, the chief of NACF’s branch in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Choi had run for office, but was pushed out in the first round. At the time Kim was running for chairmanship as head of the Naju branch in South Jeolla Province.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)