Prosecutors Conduct Search at Jincheon National Training Center Amid Corruption Allegations

On the morning of November 28, 2024, prosecutors launched a search at the Jincheon National Training Center as part of an investigation into allegations of fraudulent contracts related to facility management services by the Korea Sports Council (대한체육회). The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Sang-hyuk, confirmed that they are currently securing computer data from key officials and staff at the Korea Sports Council during the search.

The investigation follows a referral from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which reported suspicions of irregularities in the facility management contracts at the Jincheon National Training Center back in May. The Korea Sports Council had entered into a contract worth approximately 7 billion KRW with Company A for facility management services in February of the previous year. The Ministry has indicated that there are concerns regarding potential collusion between high-ranking officials of the Sports Council and the contracting company during the bidding process. Notably, during the technical evaluation of the bidding companies, it was found that employees from the bidding company and individuals associated with the Sports Council made up a majority of the evaluation committee, and there were instances of score omissions for competing companies, as reported by the Ministry.