"'Daejang-dong Keyman' Nam Wook Returns to Korea, Jin Joong-kwon Says 'Ominous Feeling... Did They Kiss?'"

"If they had refused to return and held out, it would have been difficult to bring them back"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon expressed concern over the return of lawyer Nam Wook, one of the key figures in the 'Daejang-dong Development Favoritism Allegation' in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, saying, "I have a bad feeling." Former Professor Jin raised suspicions that Nam returned despite the possibility of not being investigated, suggesting that "they may have already coordinated their stories."

On the 18th, during an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu,' former Professor Jin said, "(Nam) might be returning because something has been coordinated. In fact, if he had not returned and held out, it would have been very difficult to bring him back," adding, "It's almost impossible. The return itself is somewhat strange."

He continued, "The prosecution says he will come and complete the final puzzle, but from my perspective, I don't think anything significant will come out," and claimed, "It seems their stories have been roughly coordinated."

In an interview with 'JTBC' on the same day, lawyer Nam drew a clear line regarding Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu), the construction company for the Daejang-dong project, stating, "As far as I know, there is no relation to Governor Lee Jae-myung."

Nam Wook, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, who was staying in the United States, returned to Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the morning of the 18th and was arrested by the prosecution before being transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. / Photo by Yonhap News

When reporters asked, "Do you not know Governor Lee at all?" he replied, "Not at all," and dismissed it by saying, "He came to campaign during the 2010 election, and that was the only time we shook hands."

He added, "He came to campaign saying he would help with the private development of Daejang-dong, then became mayor and said he would do public development, which made things difficult for us," and said, "From my perspective, (Governor Lee) is someone who used his legal authority to take away the project rights."

In an interview with JTBC on the 12th, lawyer Nam had claimed regarding allegations that Hwacheon Daeyu had lobbied hundreds of billions of won to political circles, "(Hwacheon Daeyu major shareholder Kim Man-bae) said he would give 5 billion won each to seven people, totaling 35 billion won."

He said, "When Kim Man-bae said that 35 billion won was needed for lobbying costs, I thought it would be a big problem if this information leaked," and added, "I had some anticipation of what was happening now."

Lawyer Nam is known as the owner of 'Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4,' a subsidiary of Hwacheon Daeyu, and is a key figure holding clues to unraveling the Daejang-dong favoritism allegations.

He was reportedly residing in San Diego, California, USA, with his family for several years but returned on the morning of the 18th through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. Upon arrival, lawyer Nam was immediately arrested by the prosecution.