Court Assigns 'Daejang-dong' Suspect Yoon Dong-gyu to Collegiate Panel... "Specialized Corruption Trial Team"

Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The trial of Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation and one of the key figures in the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment and lobbying allegations case, will be handled by a three-judge panel specializing in corruption cases.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, the court assigned Yoo, who was indicted on charges including bribery and promise of bribery after fraudulent acts under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han).

Criminal Division 22 is a corruption-specialized trial division that recently handled cases such as the former Optimus Alternative Investment CEO, a key broker in the 'Optimus fraud' case, and Kim, a fake fisheries businessman involved in a 10 billion won fraud case.

The day before, the prosecution arrested and indicted Yoo on charges of receiving 352 million won multiple times as a bribe in exchange for providing business conveniences to the Daejang-dong development company while serving as the Planning and Management Director of Seongnam Facilities Management Corporation in 2013.

Yoo is also accused of promising to receive 70 billion won after engaging in corrupt acts in his official capacity, such as providing favorable conveniences to Hwacheon Daeyu while serving as Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation from 2014 to 2015 (promise of bribery after fraudulent acts).

However, the prosecution excluded breach of trust charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes when indicting Yoo. The prosecution plans to handle Yoo's breach of trust charges later after clarifying accomplice relationships and specific division of acts.