Another Kangwon former CEO accused of corruption

Thursday 30th of August 2018

Former head of Kangwon Land, Ham Seung-hee, has been accused of corruption, after unionized employees of the casino reported him for using millions of dollars worth of company funds for his own personal use, Korea Herald reports.

Ham, who was once a well-known prosecutor and lawmaker, and head of the country’s only locals-permitted land-based casino, is suspected of charging around KRW 70 million (US$63,100) to the company's corporate credit cards for personal use.

Lawmaker Song Ki-hun of the ruling Democratic Party said that Ham used corporate credit cards 636 times during his time as CEO from 2014-2017, and alleged that nearly half of the transactions were made at businesses only minutes away from the residence of a woman that the Ham was suspected of having an affair with.

Locations, where the credit cards were used, included luxury hotels, high-end department stores and restaurants. Rep. Song said the cards were used to buy swimsuits, toothbrushes and snacks.

“We want the truth to be revealed on every single corruption allegation made against Ham,” said the union members in a statement.

Ham’s scandal comes only a months after another Kangwon Land former head, Choi Heung-jip was arrested for unlawfully hiring staff at the request of politicians and local “bigwigs”.

The casino’s hiring corruption case was first brought up in 2015, after it was alleged that a large number of people hired between 2012 and 2013 was as a result of their connections with politicians and the former CEO.