South Korean anti-corruption agency investigates nepotism scandal surrounding election commission

June 1 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The South Korean anti-corruption agency has launched an investigation on Thursday into the accusations leveled against the National Electoral Commission (NEC) in relation to a nepotism scandal within the entity.

The commission has been the subject of numerous criticisms after cases of children of high-ranking officials of the entity allegedly hired by hand and thanks to the influence of their parents came to light, which has led the general secretary of the NEC to present his resigned last week.

“The investigation has been launched on a large scale as relevant data arrives after coordinating with the NEC,” said Jeong Sung Yoon, deputy director of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

Thus, he has indicated that the investigation will address the management of all the senior officials of the commission and will analyze possible irregularities in the hiring of their children, according to information from the Yonhap news agency.

Dozens of senior officials will be questioned as part of the investigations for at least a month and, afterward, the data will be carefully analyzed as the ruling People’s Power Party has insistently called for their resignation.

Jeong, however, has clarified that the investigation is independent and complies with the law, while clarifying that it will not be carried out jointly with the NEC, which will remain on the sidelines. “The independence of the NEC does not give it unlimited authority,” he has said.