[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution investigating the Daejang-dong development scandal in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, continues to question Yoo Dong-gyu, the former head of planning at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who is known to have designed the project plan. Yoo was interrogated late into the night after being arrested by the prosecution the previous day. However, since the detention period is limited to 48 hours, a second interrogation may be conducted before filing for an arrest warrant.
According to the legal community on the 2nd, the special investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office brought former head Yoo from Seoul Detention Center around 10 a.m. to conduct additional questioning.
Yoo has been considered the top priority suspect in this case. Since Lee Jae-myung was elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010, Yoo has been recognized as a key figure who designed the Daejang-dong development project as a public-private joint development and led the selection of Hwacheon Daeyu as the private business operator.
Since Seongnam Urban Development Corporation commissioned this project, Yoo has been deeply involved, designing the shareholder structure of ‘Seongnam's Garden’?the entity responsible for project implementation?and the profit distribution method, allegedly granting special favors to Hwacheon Daeyu. The prosecution has already completed searches of Yoo’s former office and residence.
The prosecution can interrogate Yoo for up to 48 hours after his arrest, but to continue questioning beyond that, they must request and obtain an arrest warrant. In Yoo’s case, there is a possibility of filing for an arrest warrant due to concerns over evidence tampering.
Earlier, the special investigation team executed an arrest warrant for Yoo at a hospital in the morning. The investigation team reportedly obtained the arrest warrant from the court at 9:26 a.m., fearing Yoo might refuse to appear citing health issues, and immediately took him into custody. Yoo was originally scheduled to appear at the prosecution office at 10 a.m. but visited the emergency room due to sudden acute abdominal pain in the early morning.
Prior to this, Yoo had also refused to respond to summons from the investigation team, citing reasons such as appointing a lawyer. Later, Yoo announced through the media that he would appear. However, on the day of the investigation, he delayed his appearance by an hour, citing treatment and tests at the emergency room. The investigation team visited the hospital, assessed his condition, and determined that he was not in a critical state preventing interrogation, subsequently transferring him to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
