Two Former Journalists Involved in 'Kim Man-bae Money Transaction Suspicion' Appear for Warrant Hearing... "I Apologize"

Two former journalists accused of receiving bribes from private developer Kim Man-bae in the Daejang-dong development project are at a crossroads regarding detention.

Seok, a former deputy editor of the Hankyoreh newspaper who is accused of receiving money along with a request for an article from Kim Man-bae, a private developer of the Daejang-dong development project, is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 15th to attend the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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At 10:10 a.m. on the 15th, Judge Kim Seok-beom, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, began the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for Seok, former deputy chief editor of The Hankyoreh, and Cho, a former executive of JoongAng Ilbo, who are accused of breach of trust and bribery.

Arriving at the court around 9:50 a.m. to attend the detention hearing, Cho did not respond to reporters' questions such as "Do you still maintain that you borrowed money from Mr. Kim?" and "Did you know the interview was false?" and proceeded to the courtroom.

Seok arrived around 10:25 a.m. and, when asked, "Is it true that you borrowed apartment pre-sale payments?" and "Do you admit to the charge that this was in exchange for article favors?" he only said, "I'm sorry."

According to the prosecution, they are accused of receiving illicit requests and bribes from Kim to prevent critical articles about the Daejang-dong development project from being published and to ensure favorable coverage.

It has been identified that Seok received a total of 890 million won between May 2019 and August 2020 along with the requests, and Cho received a total of 210 million won between April 2019 and August 2021.

The decision on whether to detain Seok and Cho is expected to be made as early as this afternoon.

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