Prosecutors: "Jeong Young-hak's entire recording leaked"... Court rules "Copying must be allowed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The prosecution expressed dissatisfaction, saying that the recording of accountant Jeong Young-hak, a key piece of evidence in the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project, has been reported daily. However, the court ordered the disclosure of evidence records to those who have been brought to trial.

The Criminal Division 22 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han) held the third trial on the 21st for former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, major shareholder Kim Man-bae of Hoecheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu), lawyers Nam Wook and Jeong Min-yong, and accountant Jeong Young-hak, announcing this.

The court stated, "Although a considerable amount of time has passed since the indictment, the prosecution has not submitted the evidence they requested," and added, "We officially instruct that copying (duplication) be permitted."

The prosecution requested the court's judgment on whether the copying of the recording files could be postponed, stating, "After the recent copying of evidence records, the entire recording was leaked and reported daily." However, contrary to the prosecution's intention, the court ordered that copying be allowed.

The recordings made by accountant Jeong of conversations with Mr. Kim between 2019 and 2020 are known to have served as the "smoking gun" (decisive evidence) in the investigation of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project. Recently, the contents of Jeong's recordings have been repeatedly disclosed in the media.

It appears that the court allowed copying, judging that there is a need to guarantee the defendant's right to defense even though the investigation is ongoing.

At this trial, Mr. Han, the head of Development Project Team 2 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, appeared again as a witness following his appearance on the 17th. Having answered the prosecution's direct examination and former Director Yoo's cross-examination in the previous trial, Han is scheduled to respond to the cross-examination by Mr. Kim and the other defendants this day.

Mr. Kim's lawyer asked Han, "Is it true that Seongnam City and the Corporation (Seongnam Urban Development Corporation) demanded that Seongnamui Tteul (the Daejang-dong development implementing company) bear an additional 20 billion KRW for the underground parking lot construction costs of the 1st Industrial Complex, which was not included in the consortium guidelines or the business plan?" Han replied, "Yes, that is correct."

Mr. Kim's side also asked Han whether it was true that Seongnamui Tteul additionally bore costs for tunnel construction, expansion of the southern access road to Daejang-dong, and electrical equipment expenses. Han answered, "I do not know the exact amounts, but the content is correct."

Mr. Kim's lawyer questioned, "Although Seongnamui Tteul spent such enormous costs, do the benefits from the creation or improvement of such urban infrastructure facilities return to Seongnam City and its citizens?" Han responded, "Yes, that is correct."