Prosecutors Arrest Fishing Site Operator, Close Associate of Yoon Woo-jin, on Sponsor Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The prosecution investigating former Yoon Woo-jin, former head of the Yongsan Tax Office, on 'sponsor allegations' has arrested businessman Choi, a close associate of former head Yoon.

According to the legal community on the 1st, the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Yong-hwan) of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office arrested Choi, a fishing site operator, the day before.

Choi was involved in real estate development projects around Yeongjongdo, Incheon, in the past. He is suspected of being involved in lobbying activities, including introducing former head Yoon to businessman A.

The prosecution is investigating allegations that former head Yoon received money and goods from 'sponsors,' including businessman A, and introduced legal and tax authorities officials. Former head Yoon is the elder brother of Yoon Dae-jin, Planning Director (Chief Prosecutor) at the Judicial Research and Training Institute and a close associate of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

In a petition submitted at the end of last year, A claimed that from around 2018 to 2019, he was repeatedly taken to meetings with current and former prosecutors and senior officials of the National Tax Service and police, where former head Yoon covered meal and golf expenses. He also claimed that from 2016 to 2018, he provided lobbying funds amounting to 430 million won to former head Yoon for development permits and approvals.

The prosecution assigned the case to the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Investigation Division 1, which can conduct direct investigations, and last month conducted searches of former head Yoon and Choi’s homes and offices. With the prosecution securing Choi’s custody and conducting investigations, the probe into former head Yoon’s sponsor allegations is expected to gain momentum.

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