Kim Man-bae Appears for Detention Hearing... "That Person Does Not Exist. No Connection to Lee Jae-myung"

Key figure in the 'Daejang-dong Development Project Lobbying and Favoritism' allegations, Kim Man-bae, major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu and a key suspect in the 'Daejang-dong Development Project Favoritism and Lobbying' allegations, appeared at the court on the morning of the 14th for a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) and stated, "I have no connection with Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province."

Arriving at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, by escort vehicle that morning, Kim responded to reporters' questions about his relationship with Governor Lee by saying, "I only met him once for an interview," denying any further connection.

Earlier, upon arriving at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Kim was asked by reporters who the 'that person' mentioned in the recorded transcript submitted by accountant Jeong Young-hak to the prosecution was. Kim replied, "There is no such person," adding, "It’s mine, so how could there be such a person?" The transcript reportedly contains Kim saying, "Half of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1 belongs to that person."

Moon Seong-gwan, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, will conduct the warrant review hearing for Kim, who is accused of embezzlement, breach of trust, and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, starting at 10:30 a.m. that day.

Since Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, was arrested on charges of receiving bribes from Kim, it is highly likely that an arrest warrant for Kim will also be issued.