Korean Correctional Official Suspended Amid Solitary Confinement Bribery Investigation

On July 29, 2025, it was confirmed that a correctional official in South Korea has been suspended due to allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for assigning inmates to solitary confinement. The Ministry of Justice took action against the official, referred to as A, who is suspected of receiving large sums of money from inmates under the pretense of providing them with single occupancy cells.

On July 28, the National Police Agency's Serious Crimes Investigation Unit conducted a search of the Ministry of Justice's Correctional Headquarters and the Seoul Detention Center to gather evidence related to A's case. Reports indicate that A is believed to have facilitated the transfer of inmates from shared cells to solitary confinement in exchange for payments totaling millions of won. The police are also investigating whether there are any accomplices involved in this scheme and are conducting interviews with other correctional officials as part of their inquiry.

Additionally, on July 26, two brokers suspected of being involved in A's bribery activities were arrested on charges of offering bribes. These brokers, reportedly with ties to organized crime, are accused of collecting money from inmates and passing a portion of it to A.