South Korean defense institute under probe

By Burak Bir</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense launched an investigation Tuesday into the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) over corruption allegations, according to local media.</p> <p>A senior KIDA official allegedly collected parts of bonuses paid to employees to create a slush fund and bribed government officials and lawmakers, the Korea Times reported.</p> <p>The allegations were raised last month by a whistle-blower from the think tank.</p> <p>The prime minister’s office obtained a list of government officials and lawmakers who allegedly received the money, and the case was referred to the defense ministry, it said.</p> <p>The investigation is likely to continue for about two weeks and the slush fund may exceed 400 million won ($343,000), the report added.