Special Investigation Unit Files First Arrest Warrant for LH Employee... "Focus on Investigation of Gang Sajang and Noonsadong Group"

Nam Gu-jun, Chief of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, is entering the briefing room at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 30th to make an announcement regarding the government joint special investigation headquarters investigation. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The government joint special investigation headquarters (Special Investigation Headquarters), which is investigating real estate speculation allegations triggered by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), has applied for an arrest warrant for an LH employee for the first time since its establishment.

At a briefing held at the National Police Agency headquarters on the day, Choi Seung-ryeol, head of the investigation bureau of the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, said, "On the 2nd, we applied for arrest warrants for two LH employees related to the 3rd New Town," adding, "We are currently conducting supplementary investigations requested by the prosecution. It is related to the Gwangmyeong Noonsadong area." Since the Lawyers for a Democratic Society and People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy raised suspicions of speculation by current and former LH employees in Gwangmyeong and the New Town on the 2nd of last month, this is the first time that an LH employee has been subject to detention.

Nam Gu-jun, head of the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters and the Special Investigation Headquarters, said about the current investigation status, "We are analyzing big data such as cash flow over the past five years," and added, "Through this, we intend to investigate not only those identified through complaints and investigation requests but also those who have not yet been revealed." He continued, "We will continue to conduct detention investigations on suspects whose charges have been confirmed, and we will conduct a strict investigation with the mindset of eradicating real estate speculation this time."

As of the morning of the day, the Special Investigation Headquarters is conducting preliminary investigations and investigations on 152 cases, with 639 suspects. Compared to 125 cases and 576 suspects as of the 30th of last month, the number of cases under investigation has increased by 27, and the number of suspects has increased by 63.

Classified by investigation clues, 20 cases started from complaints by civic groups, 7 cases from investigation requests by government joint investigation teams and local governments, 9 cases from complaints to the reporting center, and 116 cases are those recognized and investigated independently by the police. Among the suspects, 37 are LH employees, 98 are public officials, and 30 are local council members.

Investigation bureau chief Choi said, "In particular, the number of cases and suspects related to the 3rd New Town under preliminary investigation and investigation reaches 51 cases and 200 people," adding, "The police are focusing their investigation by dividing the investigation targets related to the 3rd New Town into two major groups." The speculative target areas of LH executives and employees that the police are closely watching are the Garim-dong area in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, and the Noonsadong land in Gwangmyeong. There are as many as 28 people related to the Garim-dong area in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, among whom is Kang Mo, a current LH employee known as ‘Gang Sajang’ due to extensive speculation. In addition, about 36 people including friends, family, and acquaintances of LH employees are involved in the Noonsadong land in Gwangmyeong City, which is also considered a speculation target, and the investigation is being strengthened.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.