On the 3rd, after completing the warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, is heading to Seoul Detention Center by transport vehicle. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The detention review hearing for Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation and a key figure in the 'Daejang-dong Development Project Favoritism and Lobbying' allegations, ended after one hour.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 8-3 (Presiding Judges Jang Yoon-sun, Kim Ye-young, Jang Seong-hak) conducted the detention review hearing for former Director Yoo from 2:20 PM to 3:20 PM on the 19th.
A detention review is a procedure where a suspect detained during the investigation phase challenges the legality of their detention and requests the court to re-examine it.
The court must interrogate the detained suspect who filed the detention review within 48 hours from the receipt of the application, examine investigation-related documents and evidence, and if the application is deemed groundless, dismiss it by decision; if deemed valid, order release by decision.
During the hearing, former Director Yoo’s side reportedly raised issues regarding the legal basis of the embezzlement charge, which alleges that Seongnam City suffered damages of about 100 billion won. They also reportedly disputed the amount of embezzlement calculated by the prosecution.
Regarding the bribery charges, they argued that the prosecution lacked concrete evidence proving whether actual money was received and whether there was quid pro quo.
The lawyer who came out after the hearing did not respond to any questions from the press.
Former Director Yoo was detained on charges including embezzlement under the Specific Economic Crimes Act for excluding the excess profit recovery clause when designing the profit distribution structure of the Daejang-dong development project, which resulted in large profits going to private businesses and corresponding losses to Seongnam City, and bribery charges for receiving 800 million won, including 50 million won from Hwacheon Daeyu.
The decision on whether to release former Director Yoo is expected to be made late in the afternoon. Initially, his detention period was set to expire on the 20th, but the prosecution timing has been delayed due to the detention review application.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
