[The Editors' Verdict] Prosecution Must Stake Its Fate on the Daejang-dong Investigation

[Asia Economy, Legal Affairs Correspondent Choi Seokjin] The entire nation is abuzz with allegations of preferential treatment and lobbying surrounding the Daejang-dong development project.

The astronomical profits reaped by private developers through their joint venture with Seongnam City are shocking, but the list of individuals allegedly targeted for lobbying?including former Supreme Court justices, a former Prosecutor General, a former Special Prosecutor, and current members of the National Assembly?is equally noteworthy.

It has become almost an established fact that Yoo Donggyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, exerted influence over the abnormal selection process for project operators and the design of the profit distribution structure, and that he received bribes from Hwacheon Daeyu in return. This is evident from the court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant just four hours after his warrant review was completed.

A thorough investigation is needed to uncover how Kim Manbae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, and his close associates in the construction industry colluded with political forces to inflict losses worth hundreds of billions of won on Seongnam City while enriching themselves, and to determine what was exchanged, to whom, and how much was delivered in the process.

The real issue comes next. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jaemyung, who was recently nominated as the presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Party, is implicated in the Daejang-dong scandal. Governor Lee himself has tried to distance himself from Yoo, likening their relationship to that of a president and a Korea Electric Power Corporation employee, but based on numerous objective facts already revealed, many citizens suspect Yoo was a close associate of Lee.

Yoo, who majored in vocal music in college and had almost no hands-on experience in real estate, was appointed as secretary of the Urban Construction Division of the mayoral transition committee after Lee was elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010, and later rose to acting president of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation. After Lee became governor of Gyeonggi Province, he appointed Yoo once again, this time as president of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a vice-ministerial-level position.

Regardless of whether Yoo was a close aide, it is reasonable for the public to question whether he could have wielded such unchecked power in a multi-trillion-won development project in Seongnam without the approval or tacit consent of then-mayor Lee. Lee himself has cited the Daejang-dong development as his greatest achievement, stating that Yoo was the executive in charge while he was the architect of the project.

Former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soonil, who played a key role in Lee’s acquittal on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act?overturning even Supreme Court precedents after Lee received a ruling of forfeiture of office in the appellate court?met with Kim several times before and after the verdict. It has come to light that he received large consulting fees from Hwacheon Daeyu immediately after his retirement, sparking unprecedented suspicions of a ‘trial deal’.

Lee’s approval rating, which had consistently exceeded 50% and overwhelmed candidate Lee Nakyeon throughout the party primary, suddenly dropped to around 28%. This shows just how seriously the public, regardless of political affiliation, is taking this situation.

With less than five months left until the presidential election, prosecutors have already secured decisive evidence and testimony, including recorded conversations and written statements from whistleblowers. President Moon Jaein has also called for a swift and thorough investigation to uncover the substantive truth.

What remains now is the prosecution’s will to investigate. In order to conclude that the public’s suspicions were unfounded, the prosecution must pursue only the ‘truth’ without hesitation or distraction. Moreover, with the election approaching, the investigation must proceed more quickly than ever.

In this context, it is difficult to understand why prosecutors have not yet conducted a search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall. It is equally baffling that they admitted their failure to properly check nearby CCTV footage only after police found Yoo’s cell phone?which he had denied existed and thrown out the window during the search?just one day after the complaint was filed.

The fate of the prosecution as an organization is at stake. They must approach this investigation with the resolve of ‘to die is to live, to live is to die’ (sajeuksaeng saengjeuksajeuksaeng). The entire nation is watching how Prosecutor General Kim Osoo, who is seen as pro-government, handles this case.

Even if the truth can be covered up for now, it will inevitably come to light over time. Just as the real owner of DAS was finally confirmed more than a decade after suspicions were first raised, despite neither the prosecution nor a special prosecutor having uncovered it before.

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