The National Police Agency said Friday it stripped Lee Hyeon-hee from the position of police chief of Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, for allegedly offering cash bribes to local residents.
According to the NPA, Lee delivered a total of 8 million won ($7,700) to six local residents in a bid to soften their anger over the controversial power transmission tower project led by Korea Electric Power Corp., a state-run utility company.
The NPA appointed Song Jun-seop as the new police chief of Cheongdo.
For the past three years, the residents have protested the state-run power operator’s plan to build transmission towers in the area.
The NPA said Lee acted “inappropriately” by giving money to protesters, failing to carry out his role as police chief.
“A thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and those responsible will be held to account,” it said.
Officials at the police headquarters in North Gyeongsang Province said KEPCO originally prepared the money as compensation and medical expenses for local residents over the power transmission construction.
Former police chief Lee’s name was written on the envelopes, containing 1 million won to 3 million won in cash, that were delivered to the residents, touching off speculation about his relationship with KEPCO.
KEPCO halted its power transmission project in September 2012 due to strong opposition from residents. In July this year, the company attempted to resume construction, and some of the residents staged protests demanding that a different type of power transmission be built.
By Kim Da-sol, Intern reporter
(dasolkim@heraldcorp.com)
