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S.Korea says to probe KEPCO, other state-run firms

SEOUL, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Seven state-owned companies, including industrial giant Korea Electric Power Corp , are to be included in a widening investigation by the country's Fair Trade Commission, officials said on Saturday.

The move follows similar probes into the country's top six family-owned conglomerates -- or chaebol -- in July, which included Samsung, LG, SK and Hyundai groups. The results of that investigation are due at the end of September.

"We are not launching the investigations right away, but will start it some time later this year," said Shin Young-ho, a spokesman for the Fair Trade Commission.

South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun took power six months ago partly on a promise to reform the chaebol, which were blamed for driving South Korea to the brink of bankruptcy in the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.

The country's Fair Trade Commission, which is heading the investigations, has widened its operations as part of the government's tough stance in support of corporate reform.

A $1.2 billion accounting scandal at trading firm SK Global Co Ltd , unearthed in March, has highlighted shady dealings at South Korea's conglomerates.