Singer Kim Ho-jung has been accused of being demanded a bribe worth tens of millions of won by a correctional officer at Somang Prison. The Ministry of Justice has launched a fact-finding investigation related to this matter.

Somang Prison is the only private prison in South Korea operated by a Christian foundation. The correctional officers at this prison are civilians, not public officials. According to the Ministry of Justice, the Seoul Regional Correctional Office identified circumstances in which a correctional officer A from Somang Prison demanded approximately 30 million won from Kim Ho-jung and has begun an investigation. Kim Ho-jung was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in April for charges of drunk driving and hit-and-run and was transferred to Somang Prison in August.

Officer A reportedly demanded Kim Ho-jung, "I got you admitted to Somang Prison, so give me 30 million won as a reward." Feeling pressured that refusing A's demand would make his incarceration difficult, Kim Ho-jung confided this fact during a meeting with another correctional officer. A Ministry of Justice official stated, "We have received a related report and are investigating the employee," adding, "No actual money was exchanged."

Somang Prison opened in December 2010 in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. The prison is operated by Agape, a foundation established mainly by a large church in Seoul, which was entrusted with correctional duties by the Ministry of Justice. Although private, about 90% of its operating budget is supported by the government. Somang Prison is popular among inmates due to better treatment compared to general correctional facilities. Unlike state prisons where meals are served in each cell, inmates eat together in a cafeteria, and the per capita space is larger than in state prisons.

The hiring process for Somang Prison staff is conducted directly by the prison director without involvement from the Ministry of Justice. The process includes document screening, written tests, and interviews, but there is no quantitative test assessing job-related expertise. The interview places significant importance on alignment with the founding philosophy of Somang Prison. In the past, requiring applicants to state their religion on the application form sparked controversy over Christian favoritism. In contrast, level 9 correctional public officials are selected through open recruitment by the Ministry of Personnel Management and must pass written and physical tests.

Employees at private correctional facilities are not obligated to undergo regular anti-corruption education. Correctional public officials must complete education on the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act at least once a year according to the standards of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. However, Somang Prison is not subject to the same legal obligations because it is not a public institution.

Experts point out that this incident reveals structural vulnerabilities in private correctional facilities. Professor Lee Chang-hyun of the Graduate School of Law at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies emphasized, "Since private prisons rely on private autonomy for staff selection and training, they can be vulnerable to corruption and misconduct," adding, "The Ministry of Justice should strengthen supervision and introduce an education system similar to that of correctional public officials."

Kim Ho-jung was indicted last May for driving under the influence and crossing the center line, colliding with a taxi, and fleeing the scene in Apgujeong, Seoul. He was also found guilty of having his manager surrender on his behalf, and both the first and second trials sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

The incident at Somang Prison once again highlights the need for management and supervision of private correctional facilities. The Ministry of Justice plans to review the operational system of private prisons and the hiring and training processes of correctional officers in light of this case.