[Inside Chodong]Prosecution Falls into a Bottomless Pit

[Asia Economy, reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The prosecution's investigation, which had been making little progress, has now lost momentum. This situation arose because the investigators failed to look into higher-level officials early on and instead focused only on peripheral figures. This refers to the difficulties now facing the investigation into lobbying and preferential treatment allegations surrounding the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, following the suicide of Yoo Han-gi, former head of the Development Project Division at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation (currently president of Pocheon Urban Corporation).

If the prosecution had acted swiftly, not only could they have identified the business operators and higher-ups involved, but they might also have prevented the suicide. As scheduled, a substantive review of Yoo's arrest warrant was supposed to take place at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of December 14. There had been some hope for a thorough investigation into higher-level officials through Yoo, who was facing allegations ranging from involvement with private developers, being pressured to resign as president, to suspicions of receiving kickbacks.

Yoo, along with Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, was in charge of the public-private joint development of Daejang-dong. Following Yoo Dong-gyu, who was called "Yuwon (Yoo 1)," Yoo Han-gi was referred to as "Yutwo (Yoo 2)," wielding significant power within the corporation. He participated in the selection process for private developers and was also involved in ousting Hwang Moo-sung, the former president of the corporation.

The prosecution placed this key figure at the end of their investigation and tied his arrest warrant to personal corruption. According to prosecution officials, they intended to secure him on charges of receiving kickbacks from private developers and then use that to investigate the remaining suspicions. It is regrettable that if they had expedited the investigation into him by even a month, his death might have been prevented.

The prosecution indicted all four of the so-called "Big Four"?Yoo Dong-gyu, Kim Man-bae, Nam Wook, and Jung Young-hak?but never once investigated Lee Jae-myung, then mayor of Seongnam and the ultimate person in charge, nor any of his close associates. Hopes for an investigation into higher-ups, which had risen when the recording of Yoo being pressured to resign was released, quickly faded. The statute of limitations, with only three months remaining, has now become meaningless, as even those repeatedly mentioned in the recordings were never questioned.

With Yoo's death, the prosecution's investigation appears to be falling into an abyss with no bottom. The chances of uncovering the truth behind the allegations of pressuring the president to resign and the 2 billion won allegedly received from attorney Nam and accountant Jung under the pretext of lobbying the Han River Basin Environmental Office have been cut in half.

There are still variables. If it is confirmed who Yoo contacted and what communications he had just before his suicide, the situation could change. Considering that Yoo Dong-gyu also faced additional suspicions regarding his "last call," securing Yoo Han-gi's mobile phone has become even more urgent.

There is a possibility the prosecution will repeat its mistakes. This is due to the constant controversies, such as being pushed by public opinion to investigate, failing to seize mobile phones, delayed raids, poorly prepared warrants, and mass COVID-19 infections. Given that investigative authorities criticized for poor investigations have never suddenly developed the ability to accurately pinpoint key issues in just three months and ten days, the need for a special prosecutor is understandable.

The prosecution cannot afford to hesitate any longer. In the trial of the "Big Four," they now have to confront more than 40 defense attorneys hired by the defendants, and there is no longer any public sympathy for their investigation into higher-ups. Even if the baton is handed over to a special prosecutor, the Daejang-dong case must not be left unresolved. Despite Yoo's suicide, the investigation must continue. The investigative authorities must maintain a responsible attitude to the end regarding the Daejang-dong case, which has left the entire nation feeling deprived.

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