According to the Yonhap news agency, Woo, who was then a lawmaker from the opposition Democratic Party, had received a total of 10 million won (over $8,900) from a businessman, identified only by the surname Chang, pledging to help Chang's relative to get a job at POSCO, the country's main steel manufacturer.
Since Chang's relative never received the position, the businessman filed a complaint against Woo, accusing him of bribery and fraud. Chang has claimed that Woo had paid the money back to him in 2016, a week ahead of parliamentary elections, out of fear that the businessman would disclose the matter publicly and ruin the diplomat's career.
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Woo has denied the allegations, claiming that the money from Chang had been a loan and not a bribe.
The ambassador has launched a complaint against Chang over the false accusations. Prosecutors reportedly plan to question Chang on Wednesday.
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