Na Kyungwon of Opposition Proposes Special Act to Recover 800 Billion Won in Daejang-dong Criminal Proceeds

by Choi Yuri

Published 18 Nov.2025 14:32(KST)

"Thorough Recovery Through Retroactive Application to the Daejang-dong Case"

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, announced on November 18 that she will sponsor the “Special Act on the Recovery of Criminal Proceeds from the Daejang-dong Scandal,” which stipulates the retroactive recovery of criminal proceeds from the Daejang-dong development corruption case.

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, is questioning Prime Minister Kim Minseok during the government questioning session on education, social, and cultural affairs held at the National Assembly on September 18, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

This special act was drafted in response to the situation where, in the first trial ruling on the Daejang-dong case, only 47.3 billion won out of the 781.4 billion won in forfeiture sought by prosecutors was ordered, and as the prosecution decided not to appeal, there is now a risk that several hundred billion won in criminal proceeds may effectively end up in the hands of the criminals. Na claims that Nam Wook, an accomplice, is publicly attempting to liquidate criminal proceeds by demanding the release of 51.4 billion won in frozen assets and listing real estate in Gangnam under a corporate name for sale at a market price of 50 billion won.

The core of the special act is its retroactive application. Na cited the precedent set by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that true retroactive legislation and deprivation of property rights can be permitted to achieve significant public interest, as in the case of the “Special Act on the Nationalization of Property of Pro-Japanese Collaborators.”

Furthermore, the special act requires courts to make cautious decisions regarding the release of frozen assets through strict review and public hearings, thereby fundamentally blocking the possibility of failing to recover criminal proceeds. Under current law, if the prosecution gives up its appeal, frozen criminal proceeds are immediately released and returned to the defendant.

Na stated, “I urge the Lee Jaemyung Democratic Party administration to cooperate in legislating the recovery of the 800 billion won in criminal proceeds stolen by the Daejang-dong crime ring,” adding, “If they do not cooperate, it would be tantamount to President Lee Jaemyung admitting to being the mastermind behind the 800 billion won theft, and the Democratic Party would also be an accomplice.”