Kim Man-bae, a key figure in the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 14th to undergo a pre-arrest detention hearing. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
[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 Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung."
At around 10:16 a.m., Kim arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, in a transport vehicle. When reporters asked about his relationship with Governor Lee, he replied, "I only met Governor Lee once for an interview."
When asked by reporters whether he denies all charges listed in the arrest warrant, including embezzlement, breach of trust, and bribery, Kim responded, "Yes, I deny them all. It is not true."
He also answered "Yes" when asked if he would continue to dispute the credibility of the recorded statements submitted to the prosecution by accountant Jung Young-hak. The recordings reportedly include Kim saying, "Half of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1 belongs to that person."
Regarding the 'that person' mentioned in the recordings, Kim said, "There is no such person at all," and added, "I don't remember saying that. It's not true."
When asked, "Then why does the recording contain such content?" he replied, "You have to consider the context, but I don't remember because various things were said at different times."
He continued, "There is no such person," and repeated his previous stance, "It is mine. I am the owner."
When asked about his friendship with Governor Lee, Kim said, "Actually, there is no special relationship with him or Governor Lee. We just met once," and added, "It was a long time ago for an interview."
Regarding the morning edition's report that he said "I don't have chemistry with Governor Lee," Kim avoided elaborating by saying, "It is difficult for me to comment on political inclinations here," and "So I will not speak on that matter."
When asked about lawyer Nam Wook's interview, he said, "I understand it as words coming from his own position."
Regarding Hwacheon Daeyu's stance that the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant is inappropriate, he said, "The prosecution also has its position, so we will vigorously dispute the facts in court."
When asked what he mainly intends to dispute, he replied, "I will fight the prosecution with my truth."
When asked if he believes accountant Jung recorded the statements with a specific intention, he answered, "I think so."
As reporters continued questioning, Kim waved his hand to refuse further questions and entered the courthouse.
Before appearing at the court, Kim also appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, where he responded to reporters' questions about who 'that person' mentioned in the recordings submitted by accountant Jung is, saying, "There is no such person," and "It is mine, so how could there be such a person?"
Judge Moon Seong-gwan, head of the warrant review division at the Seoul Central District Court, will conduct the warrant review hearing for Kim, who is charged with 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 former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu was arrested on charges of receiving bribes from Kim, it is highly likely that Kim's arrest warrant will also be issued.
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