'Early Morning Release' Nam Wook Attends Daejang-dong Trial "Will Explain in Detail in Court"

Following Yudonggyu, 'Escalation of Expos? Battle' Raises Tensions

Nam Wook, a lawyer who was arrested and indicted on charges related to preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project and is undergoing a first trial, was released on the morning of the 21st due to the expiration of the detention period and is leaving Seoul Detention Center.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Nam Wook, a key figure in the 'Daejang-dong development scandal,' appeared at the Daejang-dong trial on the 21st and said, "(I will) explain the details related to the allegations in court."

At around 9:40 a.m. that day, Nam attended the continuation of the Daejang-dong trial held from 10 a.m. under the Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Lee Jooncheol). When asked by reporters why he raised funds for Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, he responded as above. He remained tight-lipped in response to questions such as "Who is the real owner of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 1?" and "Why did your attitude toward the truth change?"

Nam was released from Seoul Detention Center at around 12:05 a.m. that day due to the expiration of his detention period. When asked, "You are out after a year; please say something," he replied, "I am sorry," and remained silent on questions related to Lee's campaign funds.

He is under investigation for having given illegal political funds worth several hundred million won to a close aide of Lee. Recently, in the Daejang-dong trial, he has raised suspicions about Lee's involvement in the development process. He will continue to testify as a witness in the trial that day.

Since former Seongnam Urban Development Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, who was released last month, remained silent about Lee during his detention and trial but made explosive remarks immediately after his release, attention is focused on whether Nam will also join the 'revelation battle.'

It is reported that Yoo gave decisive testimony leading to the prosecution's arrest of Lee's close aides, including Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, and Chief Jeong, on charges of 'illegal presidential election fund receipt.' However, Yoo did not respond to questions during the trial attendance that day, such as "What do you think about Jeong Jin-sang, Chief of the Democratic Party's Office of Political Coordination, denying the charges after being arrested on the 19th?" and "Why did you confess to instructing the destruction of evidence on your phone?"

Meanwhile, Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu), who was indicted along with Nam, is scheduled to be released on the 24th. Depending on the testimonies of these three key figures in the Daejang-dong development scandal, the speed of the prosecution's 'summons clock' for Lee is expected to be determined. Kim and Nam were jointly arrested and indicted on November 22 last year. They are accused of conspiring with former Director Yoo and others to channel development profits to Hwacheon Daeyu, a private developer in Daejang-dong, causing losses to the public construction project (breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes).

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