Prosecutors Summon Former Daejang-dong Development Promotion Committee Chairman... Questioning Early Stages of Daejang-dong Project

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution investigating allegations of preferential treatment and lobbying in the Daejang-dong development project has summoned and is questioning Lee Ho-geun, the former chairman of the Daejang-dong Urban Development Promotion Committee. Lee was involved in assisting with land acquisition while serving as the chairman of the committee.

According to legal sources on the 25th, the dedicated investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon) summoned Lee as a witness on the same day.

It is reported that around 2012, Lee signed a service contract with lawyer Nam Wook (who has been indicted and detained), the owner of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 4, agreeing to receive 2 billion KRW in exchange for assisting with landowner coordination. However, when Nam's side delayed payment and did not pay the full promised amount, Lee filed a lawsuit.

In a recent media interview, Lee also claimed that former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu (indicted and detained) repeatedly told him, "My words are the mayor's will."

The prosecution is reportedly verifying facts related to Lee, including financial transactions with lawyer Nam and suspicions of involvement by Seongnam City and the Seongnam City Council.

On the same day, the prosecution also summoned lawyer Cho Hyun-sung, owner of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 6. Cho is suspected of being involved in bringing initial project funds from the investment advisory firm Kin & Partners for the Daejang-dong private development project, which he promoted around 2009 along with lawyer Nam and accountant Jung Young-hak (indicted without detention), owner of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 5.

Previously, Cho was also summoned for investigation by the prosecution on the 21st. Additionally, Han Mo, a member of the Development Team 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation who was responsible for the practical work of the Daejang-dong development project, was questioned by the prosecution on the same day.

The prosecution appears to be expanding the scope of the investigation back to the early stages of the Daejang-dong project by consecutively questioning these individuals, accelerating efforts to identify the 'upper echelons.'

The day before, the prosecution summoned Im Seung-min, who served as chief of staff when Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, was mayor of Seongnam City, and questioned him for about seven hours as a witness.

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