A Presidential Security Service agent has been fired over suspicions that he took bribes from a man at the center of a massive corruption scandal involving construction-site catering contracts, officials said Tuesday.

The 47-year-old agent, identified by his surname Park, has been accused of accepting about 120 million won ($107,214) from contract broker Yoo Sang-bong, who was convicted by the Supreme Court last year of bribing top police officials and others to seek their help in winning catering service deals.

Running temporary restaurants at construction sites, known as “hamba,” is considered a lucrative business. The so-called “hamba”

corruption scandal was a big issue in 2011 as it involved former police chief Kang Hee-rak. Kang was later convicted of receiving bribes from Yoo.

The Presidential Security Service relieved Park of his position immediately after learning of his alleged bribe-taking, officials said. The office later held a formal disciplinary committee meeting and decided to fire him, they said.

Until recently, Park was responsible for security for Lee Hee-ho, the wife of late former President Kim Dae-jung. Under related laws, Presidential Security Service agents are dispatched to provide security for former presidents and their wives for a certain period of time. (Yonhap News)