Prosecutors Arrest Kim Yong, Close Aide to Lee Jae-myung, on Charges of Receiving Bribes from Yoo Dong-gyu

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin) arrested Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute and considered a close aide to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 19th in connection with the 'Wirye New Town Development Allegations,' and conducted a search and seizure at his residence and other locations.

Deputy Director Kim is suspected of receiving several hundred million won in bribes (violation of the Political Funds Act) from former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu and private developers involved in the Wirye development. At the time, Kim was a city council member of Seongnam. The prosecution reportedly obtained testimony during the investigation of former Director Yoo and others that money was handed over to Deputy Director Kim, and subsequently secured an arrest warrant from the court.

Deputy Director Kim, along with Jeong Jin-sang, Chief of Political Coordination at the Democratic Party leader’s office, is considered one of Lee’s closest aides. When allegations surrounding the Daejang-dong development surfaced last year, Lee himself mentioned the two, saying, "If they are close aides, it should be people like Jeong Jin-sang and Kim Yong."

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