[2021 National Audit] Kim Oh-soo "Kim Man-bae 'Reapplication for Arrest Warrant' May Be Necessary"

Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is attending the National Assembly's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 18th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Prosecutor General Kim Osu stated that it is necessary to reapply for an arrest warrant for Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu).

On the afternoon of the 18th, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's National Police Agency inspection, in response to a related question from Jeon Juhye of the People Power Party, Prosecutor General Kim said, "I think reapplying for the (arrest warrant) is necessary," adding, "The investigation team is naturally preparing for (reapplication), so we need to watch closely."

On the 14th, Judge Moon Seong-gwan, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for Kim, a key figure in the 'Daejang-dong development preferential treatment' suspicion, and late that night dismissed the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant.

On that day, in response to Representative Jeon's criticism that the mayor's office was excluded during the search and seizure at Seongnam City Hall and that investigation guidance was necessary, Prosecutor General Kim replied, "If necessary, we can receive recommendations at any time and conduct search and seizure," indicating willingness to act. He added, "The investigation team decides on specific search and seizure locations without consulting the Supreme Prosecutors' Office," and said, "I knew about the Seongnam City Hall search and seizure on the 15th, but I did not know the mayor's office was excluded."

Regarding the conflict between the prosecution and police over securing the mobile phone of former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, he said, "The prosecution applied for a search warrant, and on the same day, the police also applied for a search warrant to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, but the police were 35 minutes faster," adding, "Since two warrants were issued for the same subject, the police may understandably feel regret." He also added, "We will cooperate more and share more materials, but the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office also thoroughly reviewed and applied for the warrant."

Regarding the current status of travel bans related to the Daejang-dong suspicion, he said, "Initially, there were four subjects, and currently, there are six." When Yoon Han-hong of the People Power Party emphasized the need to introduce a special prosecutor, saying "It only looks like an investigation is being conducted," Prosecutor General Kim said, "We have conducted over 30 search and seizures in six rounds and have not deliberately stalled the investigation," adding, "The will to investigate is clear, so please wait a little longer."