Prosecutors said Wednesday they have arrested a board member of South Korea's national swimming federation on charges of siphoning off money allocated to the organization's budget, in the latest crackdown on corruption in the national sports sector.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said the executive of the Korea Swimming Federation, identified only by his initial L, has been arrested with a formal warrant issued by a local court.

Prosecutors said they have also raided the KSF's branch office in South Jeolla Province, where the suspect is affiliated. Computer hard drives and accounting books have been confiscated.

The suspect is accused of handing over the money to higher board members of the organization, in exchange for favors to keep his status in the KSF or to peddle his influence in the selection of athletes. He has worked as a coach and manager of the national water polo team on multiple occasions since 2004.        

About a week ago a warrant was issued to detain another board member of the national swimming organization over alleged bribery.

A number of officials from the organization are also under investigation over corruption charges. 

Last month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it would stop providing subsidies to the national swimming body due to corruption scandals.    

The culture ministry said the federation is suspected of forging documents and siphoning off training expenses meant to go to athletes. (Yonhap)