The Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon / Korea Times file

Police on Wednesday raided the office of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) and the national training center for Olympic athletes, as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct by the Korean Olympic chief.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent investigators to search eight locations, including the KSOC's office in Seoul and the Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon, some 85 kilometers southeast of the capital, to seize materials related to allegations of improper hiring practices by Lee Kee-heung.

Earlier last month, government inspectors requested a police investigation into corruption allegations involving Lee and several other KSOC officials, including allegations Lee ordered the relaxation of job requirements at the Jincheon National Training Center in order to hire a friend of his daughter's.

The inspectors also suspected that Lee coerced the donation of sports equipment, while misusing them for personal use. (Yonhap)