Prosecutors Indict Former Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon Without Detention on Legoland Embezzlement Charges

Former Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon, who is accused of breach of trust and other charges related to the Chuncheon Legoland development project, has been indicted.

The Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office filed a non-custodial indictment against former Governor Choi and others on the 16th on charges including loss to the national treasury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, breach of trust, and obstruction of official duties by deception.

The prosecution believes that in 2018, former Governor Choi provided false information to the Provincial Council to obtain approval, then signed a comprehensive development agreement, and under that agreement, instructed Gangwon Jungdo Development Corporation (GJC) (then LL Development) to provide 80 billion won to the UK Merlin Company, causing losses to GJC.

They also investigated allegations that the province suffered damages during the process of increasing the debt guarantee amount from 21 billion won to 205 billion won without the Provincial Council's approval in 2014.

Following a search and seizure conducted on three departments?the Provincial Government Audit Committee, Investment Attraction Division, and Cultural Heritage Division?on the 12th of last month, former Governor Choi was summoned for questioning on the 29th of the same month.

During the questioning, former Governor Choi stated, "The investment was made for the benefit of the residents," asserting that it could not be considered breach of trust.

He further emphasized, "Legoland was built with a total investment of 300 billion won, including 220 billion won from the UK Merlin Company and 80 billion won from the province. If we had paid 80 billion won but Merlin did not invest 220 billion won, there could be a possibility of breach of trust on our part, but we took thorough prior measures at that time to prevent any breach of trust."