'Gageodo Breakwater Project' Samsung C&T Former Employee Faces Second Detention Hearing

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] A Samsung C&T official accused of embezzling over 10 billion won in national funds by inflating construction costs during the 'Gageodo Breakwater' project is once again facing the possibility of detention.

On the 15th at 2:30 PM, Judge Hong Jinpyo, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Southern District Court, is conducting a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for former Samsung C&T employee A, who is charged with obstruction of official duties by deception. The decision on whether to issue the warrant is expected late that night.

A is accused of conspiring with another executive B and supervising designer C to inflate the construction budget during the breakwater construction project around Gageodo, Jeonnam, commissioned by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 2013 to prevent typhoon damage, thereby embezzling approximately 10 billion won of national funds.

Previously, on December 29 last year, the prosecution requested arrest warrants for A and two others. However, the court dismissed the warrants, citing insufficient evidence of the crime and low risk of evidence tampering or flight. After supplementary investigations, the prosecution refiled the arrest warrant for A on the 10th.