Namwook: "'Lee Jae-myung, Not Even a Grain Works' Interview Means Subordinates Did Everything"

Lawyer Nam Wook [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Nam Wook, the owner of Cheonhadongin No. 4 and a lawyer, explained that his remark last year before returning from the United States that "it doesn't work at all" regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was meant to say "the subordinates handled everything" while denying lobbying allegations.

Nam appeared as a witness at the trial of the Daejang-dong development embezzlement case held on the 5th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Lee Jun-cheol) and responded to questioning from Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu).

Kim's lawyer played a JTBC interview report from last October when Nam returned to Korea for prosecution investigation.

In the interview, Nam said, "I've observed that person for 12 years and tried many times, right? It doesn't work at all." JTBC reported that the "that person" Nam referred to was Lee Jae-myung.

When Kim's lawyer asked, "Is this interview a lie?" Nam replied, "The wording itself is true. Officially, Lee Jae-myung doesn't work at all."

When Kim's lawyer asked again, "According to your recent claims, doesn't that mean it worked a lot for Lee?" Nam explained, "The subordinates did everything. Since it's speculation, I can't speak carelessly out of concern."

Nam denied the criticism that his interview remark "it doesn't work at all" contradicted his statement to the prosecution that he gave political funds to Lee.

Lee shared Nam's interview content on his social media in October, writing, "Nam Wook, who said Lee Jae-myung didn't work at all for 12 years in the interview, recently testified to the prosecution that he gave Lee's presidential primary funds before that. Which statement is true?"

Nam also testified additionally on the same day about the reason he lowered his share ratio among private investors in the Daejang-dong project at Kim's request.

Nam claimed that Kim told him, "If you are involved, Mayor Lee Jae-myung (then Seongnam Mayor) won't grant the project rights," and demanded that he reduce his share ratio, which Nam accepted.

Kim's lawyer pointed out, "You said you gave political funds to Mayor Lee (then), but if you are disadvantaged for that, wouldn't you retaliate by exposing the political funds?" Nam responded, "That's why I think they didn't take all my shares and left some."