Namwook, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations who was staying in the United States, returned to Korea on the morning of the 18th through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. He was arrested by prosecution investigators and is leaving the airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The legal team representing lawyer Nam Wook, a key figure in the 'Daejang-dong Development Project Favoritism and Lobbying' allegations, has completely denied media reports claiming that he expressed an intention to donate the profits earned from the development project to those around him.
The law firm Kwangjang, which is defending Nam, stated in a press release sent to reporters on the afternoon of the 19th, "We inform you that the claim that lawyer Nam Wook will donate the profits from the Daejang-dong project is unfounded, as it has neither been discussed nor decided."
On the same day, some media outlets reported that Nam expressed his intention to donate all immediately available funds from the 100.7 billion won profit earned through the Daejang-dong project and requested leniency from the investigative authorities.
In particular, speculation arose that his sudden voluntary return from the United States was an attempt to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. However, Kwangjang reportedly denied any plea bargaining with the prosecution.
Nam, the owner of Cheonhwa-dongin No. 4, a subsidiary of Hwacheon Daeyu, is known to have been involved throughout the project process, including handling government relations for various permits and organizing land share arrangements within the Daejang-dong team.
The prosecution arrested Nam at Incheon Airport around 5:14 a.m. the previous day after he arrived from the United States and transferred him to the prosecution for intensive investigation.
The prosecution applied charges against Nam, including breach of trust under the Specific Economic Crimes Act, alleging that he conspired with Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, to promise bribes to former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu (currently detained), causing losses to the corporation to maximize the profits of private developers in Daejang-dong.
Before the expiration of Nam's detention period, the prosecution plans to request an arrest warrant to secure his custody, conduct supplementary investigations, and then reapply for an arrest warrant for Kim, whose previous warrant was dismissed once by the court.
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