Special Investigation Unit: "7 Local Government Heads Under Speculation Investigation... 3 Not Indicted"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The government joint special investigation headquarters (Special Investigation Headquarters, SIH) is actively conducting investigations related to speculation allegations against local government heads. Among the 10 individuals under investigation, some are currently being investigated, while others have had their cases closed due to the allegations not matching the facts.

A representative of the SIH told reporters on the 7th, "Out of the 10 basic local government heads accused of speculation, 7 have been booked, and 3 have been decided not to be booked."

For the 3 who were not booked, all were confirmed to have either incorrect factual allegations or cases where the statute of limitations had expired. Among them, one is known to be Kim Yoon-sik, former mayor of Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. Allegations arose that former Mayor Kim purchased an apartment near the site planned for Seoul National University Siheung Campus in Baegot New Town in 2014, but it was confirmed that the purchase date of the pre-sale rights was incorrect and the statute of limitations had expired.

Additionally, it was reported that an arrest warrant was requested for one of the booked basic local government heads. An SIH official said, "We are supplementing the investigation based on the prosecution's request for additional investigation."

Regarding the former and current public officials with speculation allegations, the highest-ranking former Administrative City Construction Agency (Happiness Agency) chief Lee Mo was subject to an arrest warrant request, but the prosecution requested supplementary investigation. The SIH explained, "We are currently supplementing the investigation" and "We have not yet reapplied for the arrest warrant."

Regarding the announcement by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission the previous day that 9 reports of public officials' speculation were transferred to the SIH, the SIH said, "They were received separately in March and April," and "There are no members of the National Assembly among those notified." The 9 transferred cases include 1 local government head, 1 local council member, 3 public officials, 3 from Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and 1 from Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH).

Meanwhile, pre-indictment seizure and confiscation orders for illegal profit recovery have been approved in 15 cases amounting to approximately 34.8 billion KRW as of today. The SIH has also applied for seizure and confiscation orders in 6 cases amounting to approximately 14.1 billion KRW.

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