Yongsan Residence Construction, 'Illegal' Question... Wondamjonggeon CEO "Not Proven" [2024 National Audit]

"Difficulty Responding" to Illegal Controversy Over Contract After Pre-Construction Work

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hwang Yun-bo, CEO of Wondam General Construction, drew a line on the 24th during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit by stating, in response to the question "Do you admit to committing illegal acts during the construction of the Yongsan Presidential Residence?" that "the violations have not been definitively determined."

On the same day, Yoon Jong-gun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, questioned CEO Hwang, saying, "According to the Board of Audit and Inspection report, it is stated that the subcontracting law and the Framework Act on the Construction Industry were violated during the contract process with 21gram," and asked, "Do you admit to the illegal acts?"

CEO Hwang replied, "Rather than a legal violation, construction was carried out before the contract was finalized," adding, "If you call this a legal violation, it is difficult for me to comment." When Yoon asked, "So are you saying it is not illegal?" Hwang responded, "I find it difficult to answer that."

Moon Jin-seok, also a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Procedurally, a construction commencement report must be submitted to the authorities and permission obtained before starting construction," and asked, "Are you claiming that no laws were broken?" When CEO Hwang answered, "It was an urgent construction, so we proceeded first," Moon criticized, "Even if it is urgent construction, procedures cannot be violated. Skipping steps because it is urgent is not allowed. Are you insisting until the end that no illegal acts were committed?"

Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, responded to Moon's question, "They claim no laws were broken despite not submitting a commencement report before construction. What is your opinion, Minister?" by saying, "Since it is a public contract project, the normal procedure is to contract first and then commence construction."

CEO Hwang stated that he has no relationship with Kim Tae-young, CEO of 21gram. He said, "I do not know CEO Kim at all," and added, "I have a personal acquaintance with a construction site employee who asked if I was willing to participate in the construction, so I joined the project."

CEO Hwang was absent from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit held at the government Sejong Complex on the 7th, citing overseas training as the reason.