[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation and a key figure accused of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project, is reportedly refusing to cooperate with the prosecution's investigation as of the 30th.
According to legal circles on the day, the dedicated investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office notified former Director Yoo to appear for questioning. However, Yoo has not complied.
The prosecution is reportedly considering forcibly securing Yoo's custody if he continues to ignore the summons.
Legal experts believe that Yoo must be investigated to clarify the allegations. Yoo is deeply involved in the Daejang-dong development project and is suspected of designing the shareholder structure of 'Seongnam Utddeul,' the entity responsible for the project implementation, and the profit distribution method to provide preferential treatment to Hwacheon Daeyu. He is also known as the owner of Yuwon Holdings, which is suspected of receiving profits from the Daejang-dong development.
He is also suspected of being a close aide to Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung. After Lee was elected, Yoo served as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization.
Yoo denies all allegations against him. It is also reported that when the prosecution conducted a search of his residence the day before, he destroyed one of the key pieces of evidence, his mobile phone, just prior to the search.
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