Daejang-dong Scandal 'Keyman' Nam Wook Returns from the US... Arrested by Prosecutors at Incheon Airport

On the early morning of the 18th, lawyer Nam Wook Byeon (center), who returned through Incheon International Airport, is being escorted out of the airport under arrest by the prosecution. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Nam Wook, one of the key figures in the 'Daejang-dong Development Project Favoritism and Lobbying' allegations, returned to Korea early on the 18th through Incheon International Airport. The prosecution arrested Nam at the airport and is currently transporting him.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office special investigation team (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon) arrested Nam around 5 a.m. at Incheon Airport and is transporting him to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Nam Wook was arrested at approximately 5:14 a.m. today under an arrest warrant." The charges against Nam include promises of bribery and other offenses.

At around 5:44 a.m., Nam appeared at the arrival gate with prosecution officials and, when bombarded with questions from the press, only said "I'm sorry" before leaving the airport without further comment.

Known as the owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4, a subsidiary of Hwacheon Daeyu, Nam has been involved in the Daejang-dong development project since 2009 alongside accountant Jung Young-hak. He is considered one of the 'Daejang-dong Four,' along with Hwacheon Daeyu major shareholder Kim Man-bae and former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu.

In 2015, Nam was indicted on charges of receiving 830 million KRW from a real estate development company to help convert the Daejang-dong public development project, promoted by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in the second half of 2009, into a private development, but he was acquitted.

Before his indictment, in 2014, then Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung changed the Daejang-dong project to a public-private joint development, and Nam participated in the development project company alongside Kim, receiving 100.7 billion KRW in dividends through Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4.

Nam, who left for the United States in mid-September, recently claimed in media interviews that Kim and former Director Yoo led the project and that the lobbying was conducted by Kim's side.

He specifically stated that Kim told him "there is a separate owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1" and that there was talk of having to pay former Director Yoo between 40 billion and 70 billion KRW.

The prosecution notified Nam upon his arrival and requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invalidate his passport to pressure his return.

After investigating Nam, who was arrested at the airport, as a suspect, the prosecution plans to request an arrest warrant on charges including bribery and embezzlement.