Police Begin Locating Nam Wook, 'Key Figure in Daejang-dong'... Request Interpol Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police investigating the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, have requested cooperation from the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO, Interpol) to locate Nam Wook, a key figure involved.

According to the police on the 9th, the dedicated investigation team of the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency requested Interpol cooperation on the 7th to accurately determine the whereabouts of Nam, who is currently staying in the United States. Although the cooperation request does not have the enforcement power of extradition, it is expected to help locate him through international cooperation via Interpol.

Nam, who has led the Daejang-dong development project since 2009, purchased surrounding land for private development after the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) abandoned public development. When the development method changed to a public-private partnership in 2014, he participated in the project alongside Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu). Nam, also known as the actual owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4, a subsidiary of Hwacheon Daeyu, reportedly invested 87.21 million KRW in the Daejang-dong development and received dividends of over 100.7 billion KRW. It is known that he left for the United States before the allegations related to Daejang-dong surfaced.

Earlier, the prosecution investigating the Daejang-dong allegations requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invalidate Nam’s passport. Both the prosecution and police appear determined to use all possible means to facilitate Nam’s prompt return to Korea.