Corruption Drive Pressed

State prosecutors began to carry out the government's new anti-corruption plan Tuesday, summoning a former Speaker of the National Assembly, Hwang Nak-joo, on charges of accepting bribes. Mr. Hwang is now a senior adviser of the opposition Grand National Party.

According to the prosecution, Mr. Hwang received 240 million won ($218,000) from the chairman of Woobang Housing and Construction, which has been placed under court supervision, in return for providing favors on the management of a community college that the businessman owns.

The prosecution's action followed a cabinet meeting at which the details of the plan, announced Monday, were finalized.

Prime Minister Lee Han-dong and ministers decided at the meeting to focus on structural corruption in the government, misappropriation of money at government-owned companies and financially troubled companies as well as tax evasion and the illegal transfer of money abroad by the rich.

Minister of Justice Kim Jung-kil hinted at the possibility of prosecuting politicians by saying that some leading figures are making irresponsible accusations and confusing the public.

The general atmosphere at public offices grew tense as the anti-corruption campaign began in earnest. In one sign of this, the National Tax Service ordered its employees to refrain from playing golf.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said it is worried that the campaign may jeopardize fragile labor-management relations at government-owned companies under its jurisdiction. A ministry official said that the unions at these companies are likely to intensify their demands and possibly disrupt the public sector restructuring program if one of their senior officials is found to have been involved in corrupt dealings.

Officials also warned that government employees may refuse to take initiatives in their work. A senior official said that similar campaigns had made employees reluctant to undertake tasks that they might be held responsible for in the future.

by Kim Sok-hyon