Prosecutors Secure Testimony from Nam Wook that "Kim Man-bae Delivered 200 Million Won to Senior Democratic Party Lawmaker" Last Year

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-dong, Seoul. / Photo by Choi Seok-jin

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The prosecution investigating the lobbying and preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development reportedly secured a statement from Nam Wook, the owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4 (detained and indicted) at the end of last year, claiming that Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu (detained and indicted), delivered 20 million won to a certain ruling party lawmaker ahead of the 2012 general election, and has been verifying the authenticity of this claim.

According to the legal community on the 16th, the dedicated investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon) obtained a statement during the investigation of Nam Wook between October and November last year, indicating that "in March 2012, Kim gave 20 million won in cash to Lee, an aide to senior Democratic United Party (now the Democratic Party of Korea) lawmaker A."

At that time, Nam testified that in early 2012, he, Kim, and Bae, the owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 7 and a colleague of Kim at a media company, had a meal together at a restaurant in Seocho-dong, Seoul. During the meal, Kim took a shopping bag containing 20 million won in cash brought by Bae, saying he would "give it to lawmaker A," and later told Nam that he had delivered it to Lee, lawmaker A's aide.

Lee, lawmaker A's aide, is also mentioned in the recorded statements submitted to the prosecution by accountant Jung Young-hak, owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 5 (indicted without detention).

Based on Nam's statement at the end of last year, the prosecution summoned Bae for questioning, but Bae reportedly testified that he only lent 20 million won to Kim and did not know the specific purpose of the money.

Kim and lawmaker A's side have reportedly denied all such allegations.

A prosecution official said, "It is difficult to confirm as the matter is under investigation," but added, "I understand that the investigation team conducted sufficient verification of the facts through questioning witnesses and others at the end of last year."

Although the prosecution has not yet closed the related allegations with a non-prosecution decision, since the investigation team has not yet questioned lawmaker A, it is expected that the investigation related to the Daejang-dong case will be concluded together when the overall investigation is finalized.

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