'Daejangdong Allegations' Nam Wook and Jeong Min-yong's Detention Hearing Ends... Prosecution Assigns Prosecutor Kim Ik-su Amid 'Exclusion' Rumors

Nam Wook, a key figure in the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development, is attending the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The pre-trial detention hearings (warrant hearings) for Nam Wook and Jeong Min-yong, two lawyers who are key figures in the preferential treatment and lobbying allegations related to the Daejang-dong development, have concluded. It is reported that a fierce battle took place in court between the lawyers and the prosecution.

Judge Moon Seong-gwan, head of the warrant division at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted the warrant hearings for lawyers Nam and Jeong consecutively from 3 PM to 7 PM on the 3rd, lasting about four hours.

On this day, six prosecutors from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's dedicated investigation team (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon) were involved, engaging in intense exchanges with the defense teams of lawyers Nam and Jeong. Notably, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Ik-soo, who had been rumored to be excluded from the investigation team within the prosecution, also participated, drawing attention.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim was suddenly assigned to investigate an information and communication company amid fierce criticism over the prosecution's investigative will after the arrest warrant for Hwacheon Daeyu major shareholder Kim Man-bae was dismissed on the 14th of last month. There were suspicions that he was deliberately excluded from the Daejang-dong investigation. It was said that Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim was excluded from the investigation team after conflicts with the leadership over the direction of the investigation.

In response, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office explained, "He was simply handling major ongoing investigations he was already responsible for and was not excluded from the dedicated investigation team."

Lawyer Nam finished his warrant hearing first at around 5:05 PM and left the court. He did not respond to questions such as "What did you explain during the more than two-hour hearing?" or "Why did you give 3.5 billion won to Jeong Min-yong?" and left in a transport vehicle.

Nam's defense lawyers also remained tight-lipped about the hearing and left the court without answering reporters' questions.

Then, at around 7:18 PM, lawyer Jeong finished his hearing and left. He did not respond to reporters' questions such as "Do you admit drafting the collusion guidelines favorable to private companies?" or "Do you think there is a possibility of detention?" and boarded a transport vehicle. Jeong's defense lawyers also said, "We have nothing to say," and headed to the Seoul Detention Center, where they were waiting.

The decision on whether they will be detained is expected to be made late that night or in the early hours of the 4th.

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