Interest Grows Over Investigation of Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The prosecution, investigating allegations of lobbying and preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, has completed a nearly 11-hour-long search and seizure at Seongnam City Hall.
On the 15th, the dedicated investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office conducted a search from 9 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. at departments related to the Daejang-dong development project, including the Urban Housing Bureau, Education, Culture and Sports Bureau, Cultural City Project Group, and Information and Communication Division of Seongnam City Hall.
The prosecution specified in the search warrant allegations under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, including breach of trust and bribery involving former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu and major shareholder Kim Man-bae of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, as well as bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act by Assemblyman Kwak Sang-do.
Seongnam City, as the institution holding various permits and approvals for the Daejang-dong project, retains documents such as the "Review Report on Investment Approval for Corporations Related to the Promotion of the Daejang-dong Development Project," prepared by the Seongnam City Administrative Planning Bureau in January 2015. It is known that Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung directly approved matters related to the feasibility study and other processes during the Daejang-dong development at that time.
Based on the materials secured at Seongnam City Hall, the prosecution plans to summon and investigate public officials involved in the Daejang-dong development project. Additionally, there is growing interest in whether Governor Lee Jae-myung will be questioned. The previous day, Lee Jung-soo, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, stated at a National Assembly audit that Governor Lee is "accused and within the scope of investigation."
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