Prosecutors raided the headquarters of the world’s top shipbuilder Monday as part of their ongoing investigation into widespread corruption in the defense industry.
A special prosecution team seized internal documents and computer discs from the head office of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in central Seoul to corroborate allegations that a retired navy captain, surnamed Lim, helped the firm win a bid to build three submarines in exchange for a high-ranking post at the company.
Lim allegedly overlooked faulty parts in the 1,800-ton submarines by changing the evaluation criteria in favor of the company, while working as head of the project evaluators at the Submarine Command between 2007 and 2009.
Lim was hired as a chief department head at Hyundai Heavy Industries two days after his retirement.
The government picked Hyundai to build the three submarines with its own technology under the project code-named “KSS-III,” in 2000. However, more than 100 faulty parts have been found since then.
The special investigation team — comprised of government, military and prosecution officials — is headquartered at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. The team has cracked down on corruption in the defense industry after a series of shady deals came to light. (Yonhap)
