Prosecutors Temporarily Release 'Daejangdong Scandal Keyman' Lawyer Nam Wook... Likely to Request Warrant After Supplementary Investigation

Measures Taken Upon Arrival of Detention Deadline Without Completing Sufficient Investigation

Namwook, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations who was staying in the United States, returned to Korea on the morning of the 18th through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. He was arrested by prosecution investigators and is leaving the airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution investigating allegations of preferential treatment and corruption in the Daejang-dong development project released lawyer Nam Wook, the owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4, a subsidiary of Hwacheon Daeyu, on the 20th.

The dedicated investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office released lawyer Nam around 12:20 a.m. on the same day, who had been arrested under an arrest warrant.

The prosecution, which arrested lawyer Nam at Incheon Airport at 5:14 a.m. on the 18th, judged that it would be difficult to complete sufficient investigation for requesting an arrest warrant within the 48-hour detention period. Therefore, they released lawyer Nam for the time being and plan to request an arrest warrant after supplementary investigation.

Lawyer Nam is considered a key figure involved throughout the project process, handling various government relations for permits and organizing land shares within the Daejang-dong team.

Earlier, the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for lawyer Nam, applying charges of breach of trust under the Specific Economic Crimes Act, alleging that he conspired with Mr. Kim to promise bribes to Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation (currently detained), and caused losses to the corporation to maximize the profits of private developers in Daejang-dong.

The prosecution suspects that the 3.5 billion KRW that flowed from Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4 to Yoo Won Holdings, known to be the real owner of former Director Yoo, may be part of the 70 billion KRW promised by Mr. Kim to former Director Yoo.

Additionally, the prosecution believes that lawyer Nam was involved in the process through his university junior lawyer Jeong Min-yong, whom he recommended to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation. This process included excluding the excess profit recovery clause and restricting construction companies' bids while the corporation conspired with private developers.

Since the arrest warrant for Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, was previously dismissed by the court once, the prosecution is expected to request an arrest warrant for lawyer Nam after sufficient investigation.

Meanwhile, the detention review petition requested by former Director Yoo, who was arrested earlier on the same day, was dismissed by the court.

The court stated the reason for dismissal as "the issuance of the arrest warrant is lawful, and it is recognized that detention should continue."

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