The Jeonju Prosecutor’s Office announced the indictment of a former chairman of Jeongeup City Council in North Jeolla Province and a 68-year-old solar power business operator in a high-profile corruption case. Investigators claim the two unnamed individuals inflated construction costs related to a solar power generation project and accepted bribes from contractors, leading to a misappropriation of about $1.3 million (1.7 billion won) from financial institutions between Oct. 2018 and Jan. 2021.

Prosecutors also allege that the business operator gave the former chairman approximately $65,000 (86 million won) in bribes from July to Sept. 2020 related to solar power plant installation, operation and permits. Six other accomplices were indicted without detention.