Nonghyup Chairman Kang Ho-dong Summoned Over 100 Million Won Bribery Allegations

Kang Ho-dong, the chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup), has undergone extensive police questioning regarding allegations of accepting bribes totaling more than 100 million won ($73,000).

The investigation focuses on claims that the funds, consisting of cash and valuables, were provided by a distributor linked to a NongHyup subsidiary. These payments were purportedly intended as election funds for the NongHyup chairman election held in January 2024.

Police Investigation and Questioning

Kang appeared as a suspect at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit office in Mapo on June 4, 2026, arriving at approximately 9:30 a.m. He was questioned on charges that include bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

The questioning lasted 18 hours, with Kang leaving the building at approximately 4:09 a.m. On June 5, 2026.

Upon his departure, Kang stated, I explained the misunderstandings in detail and cooperated faithfully with the investigation. He did not provide a direct response to questions regarding whether he denied the bribery charges.

Earlier, when arriving for the session, Kang responded to reporters’ questions about the allegations and calls for his resignation by stating, I will cooperate with the investigation as faithfully as possible.

Timeline of Legal Actions

The police launched this specific investigation in July 2025 after receiving a tip that Kang had accepted bribes. On October 15, 2025, investigators conducted raids on the chairman’s office and NongHyup’s headquarters located on Saemoonan-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul.

As part of the legal proceedings, police imposed a travel ban on Kang.

In addition to the police investigation, the government conducted a special audit into allegations of bribery and embezzlement involving Kang and other NongHyup executives. This audit reportedly uncovered 14 additional cases.

Professional Background and Context

Kang Ho-dong previously served as the head of the Yulgok Agricultural Cooperative in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. He was elected as the 25th chairman of NongHyup on January 25, 2024, and officially took office on March 11, 2024.

Separate allegations have also surfaced regarding his previous tenure. Reports indicate claims that Kang received 20 million won in money and valuables in 2022 while serving as the head of the Yulgok cooperative.

The use of illicit funds in NongHyup elections is described as a chronic problem. For example, in August 2025, the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit raided the offices of 10 cooperative heads in Gangwon Province.

That investigation found that during the 4th Extraordinary Delegates’ Meeting of 2024, held on May 30, 2024, to elect 22 new board members, one cooperative head allegedly provided kickbacks to nine other cooperative heads.