Prosecutors Say "Yoo Dong-gyu Coercion Allegation Is a Malicious Frame"... Calls for Personal Protection Emerge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution strongly denied allegations of 'coercion' based on testimony after Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, was released on the 20th due to the expiration of his detention period, calling it a "malicious frame-up."

A Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office official said on the 20th, "The prosecution never promised or coerced Yoo Dong-gyu into release," emphasizing, "Despite this, baseless false claims are being spread to tarnish the prosecution's investigation, but these are completely untrue."

The Democratic Party raised suspicions that Yoo was involved in 'plea bargaining' with prosecutors on the 14th at the office of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Eom Hee-jun) of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without his lawyer present. It is alleged that instead of preventing Yoo's release, a deal was made to obtain testimony related to Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, regarding the receipt of suspension funds. It is known that Yoo refused to have his lawyer present during the investigation at that time.

The prosecution denied this, stating, "There was no reason to coerce or threaten Director Yoo, and everyone knows that the investigation would become more difficult if he were released." They also emphasized that all necessary measures were taken to re-arrest Yoo. The prosecution applied to the court to consolidate the Wirye New Town development corruption case and others, notifying the court of the need to re-arrest Yoo, but the court did not accept this.

However, a prosecution official confirmed, "It is true that Yoo and his cohabitant were investigated together in the prosecutor's office." There were also allegations that the prosecution deliberately made Yoo and the woman he lived with encounter each other within the prosecution office to destabilize his mindset and induce important testimony. The official responded, "The cohabitant was also investigated out of necessity during the investigation."

The investigation team stated that while investigating Kim Yong’s alleged violation of the Suspension of Business Act, they may request an arrest warrant for Yoo again if necessary. Since Yoo provided important testimony, securing his custody has become very important for the prosecution to prove Kim Yong’s charges. However, there are cautious opinions that protective measures should be taken for Yoo due to his history of attempting extreme measures.

Yoo previously overdosed on sleeping pills in a detention center in April and was transported to the emergency room. At that time, Yoo’s lawyer said, "When an arrest warrant was issued for instructing the destruction of a mobile phone without the spouse’s (common-law wife) order, he attempted an extreme act out of despair," adding, "He also left a suicide note in his detention cell apologizing to his spouse and daughter." It is also known that Yoo attempted an extreme act during a search of his residence by the prosecution team in September last year.

After a year of imprisonment, Yoo is now a free man, but his surrounding situation remains difficult. Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, who has been like a sworn brother for over ten years, was arrested based on his own testimony.

Yoo reportedly testified in a recent prosecution investigation that from April to August last year, he delivered cash amounting to 800 million won several times at the request of Kim Yong, citing it as election funds for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party. Because of this, Lee Jae-myung, who has been with him for over ten years, may also face prosecution investigation.

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