Prosecutors Summon Lawmaker Yang Bu-nam on Suspicion of Covering Up Investigation into Gambling Site Operators

The prosecution is currently investigating Yang Bu-nam, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of receiving a large commission in exchange for covering up an investigation into the operators of an online gambling site immediately after retiring as a high-ranking prosecutor.

According to the legal community on the 8th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho) summoned Yang on the same day as a suspect on charges of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act and is currently questioning him.

Yang Bu-nam, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yang, who left the prosecution in August 2020 after serving as the Busan High Prosecutor General, is suspected of receiving a large fee in November of the same year, right after his retirement, in exchange for covering up the investigation into the operators of an online gambling site for establishing a gambling space.

Previously, the police investigating Yang applied twice for an arrest warrant against him, but the prosecution rejected both requests, citing insufficient evidence of criminal charges and grounds for detention. Ultimately, the police sent Yang to the prosecution without detention in August last year.

At that time, the police also sent Lawyer A, who introduced the case to Yang, and his office manager to the prosecution, and both have already been indicted.

The total fee received by Yang and Lawyer A is reported to be 280 million won, of which 99 million won was deposited into Yang's office corporate account.

Yang is known to maintain that the fees were received under a lawful contract and that there is no legal issue.

Yang was elected as a member of the 22nd National Assembly on April 10th, running as a candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea in the Gwangju Seo-gu Eul district.