Yuhan-gi, from screening to forced resignation and bribery suspicions... Prosecution investigates as 'Daejang-dong member'

Controversy Over Active Involvement in Daejangdong Development and Former President Hwang Museong's Resignation Process... Yuhan-gi Side "Not True"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution, investigating allegations of preferential treatment and lobbying in the Daejang-dong development, is intensifying its investigation into Yuhan-gi, former head of the Development Business Division at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation (Seongnam UDC). This move comes amid suspicions that he was involved not only in the selection of private developers for the Daejang-dong project and the resignation process of the former Seongnam UDC president but also in bribery allegations.

According to the legal community on the 29th, the Daejang-dong Allegations Special Investigation Team (led by Deputy Chief Kim Tae-hoon) at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has begun additional verification regarding the Daejang-dong development process and the recently released recorded conversations of Hwang Mu-seong, former president of Seongnam UDC, targeting former head Yuhan-gi. The investigation team has confirmed circumstances indicating Yuhan-gi’s deep involvement in the Daejang-dong development and is effectively classifying him as a 'Daejang-dong member.'

Following Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the Planning Division and a key figure in the Daejang-dong incident, Yuhan-gi wielded significant power at Seongnam UDC and was nicknamed 'YouTwo.' The investigation team, having already confirmed the private developer selection process through Yoo Dong-gyu and Jeong Min-yong, head of the Investment Business Team (lawyer), believes Yuhan-gi also actively participated in this process.

Yuhan-gi was confirmed to have served as the chairman of the evaluation committee during the absolute evaluation for selecting private developers for the Daejang-dong development and as the chairman of the subcommittee during the relative evaluation. The absolute evaluation panel consisted of three members: Yuhan-gi, Kim Moon-gi, head of Development Business Division 1, and Jeong Min-yong.

Evidence of illegal involvement in the resignation process of former president Hwang was also detected. In February 2015, a recorded file was released in which Yuhan-gi urged Hwang to submit his resignation, mentioning Yoo Dong-gyu and others. Hwang resigned before completing his term, after which Yoo Dong-gyu served as acting president and led the Daejang-dong project.

Regarding these allegations, Yuhan-gi has been repeatedly reported. After a civic group filed a complaint against Yuhan-gi and others for abuse of authority, the People Power Party additionally filed complaints with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office against Yuhan-gi and others for abuse of power, obstruction of rights, coercion, and violations of the Public Official Election Act. Considering that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office assigned this case to the Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the background and process of the Daejang-dong development, it is highly likely that Yuhan-gi will be investigated from multiple angles.

Yuhan-gi is also suspected of receiving hundreds of millions of won in bribes from Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management. The special investigation team is currently examining this matter, verifying the nature and flow of the funds involved.

As the prosecution intensifies its investigation, Yuhan-gi, who had remained silent until now, has begun to actively express his position. Through his lawyer yesterday, Yuhan-gi released a statement saying, "Former president Hwang was prosecuted and on trial for a fraud case related to a construction contractor during his tenure and did not inform the corporation. Considering my reputation, I recommended his resignation." He explained that mentioning Yoo Dong-gyu and others was due to his judgment that Hwang had no intention of resigning. Regarding the bribery allegations, he denied them entirely, stating, "I have never met Kim Man-bae and do not even know his contact information."

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