Parliamentary investigations expose a cosy relationship between the
South Korean government and the backers of a controversial diamond
project
President Lee Myung-bak’s government faces another corruption
scandal
linked to its African resource diplomacy after a little-known mining
company claimed to have made a record-shattering diamond discovery in
eastern Cameroon. A parliamentary audit revealed last month that the
South Korean government has backed C&K Mining’s quest for diamond
mining rights at Mobilong and Limokoali in Cameroon without verifying
the details. The Foreign Ministry also offered to increase aid after a
Cameroonian official suggested that it would help secure approval for
C&K Mining’s permits. Furthermore, members of parliament accuse the
government of exaggerating the discovery’s potential, leading to
inflated profits for C&K Mining’s private shareholders....
(This article contains approximately 845 words)
