Yoo Dong-kyu, former head of the planning department at the Seongnam Development Corporation, who was indicted and found guilty in the first trial for alleged involvement in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, is seen here answering questions from reporters as he leaves the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 30th, after his detention period expired. [Yonhap News] 

Yoo Dong-kyu, former head of the planning department at the Seongnam Development Corporation, who was arrested and is currently on trial for alleged involvement in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, reasserted on the 30th that Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate, was aware of various corrupt practices that occurred in Seongnam City in the past.

Former Director Yoo was released from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, at midnight.

Wearing a suit, he exited the front gate of the detention center around 12:19 AM and stated, "There were clear irregularities in Seongnam at the time, and the mayor knew about them. How could the approving authority stamp their seal without any thought?"

He added, "This case (the Daejang-dong project) was an area that Mr. Lee Jae-myung took a keen interest in. To say he didn't know is to claim incompetence."

Regarding the recent recantation of statements by key suspects, including lawyer Nam Wook, concerning President Lee's involvement, he commented, "They have turned to lies out of fear of power. Dictatorship by a single faction is taking place, and we have entered an era where everything can change overnight with a single word from the president."

Since the prosecution's investigation into the Daejang-dong case began in earnest in 2021, Former Director Yoo has repeatedly claimed through media interviews and other channels that Lee Jae-myung, then the mayor of Seongnam, was at the "apex" of the Daejang-dong development corruption and that the then-mayor knew about and condoned various corrupt practices related to the project.

Kim Man-bae, the largest shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, who was indicted and found guilty in the first trial for alleged involvement in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, is seen here answering questions from reporters as he leaves the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 30th, after his detention period expired. [Yonhap News] 

Former Director Yoo also claimed that Kim Man-bae, the largest shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, received preferential treatment within the detention center based on his acquaintance with President Lee.

Former Director Yoo said, "Everyone else was scattered in different cells, but Kim Man-bae was in a single cell. Mr. Lee Jae-myung never spoke ill of Kim Man-bae. The two were clearly colluding."

Regarding future trials, he stated, "I believe many judges are intimidated by the power," adding, "No matter what anyone says, I will speak the truth."

Kim Man-bae, who was released from the detention center before Former Director Yoo, said, "As I have stated in court, I deny the charges. I will speak based on facts diligently in the upcoming trial."

Regarding the prosecution's decision not to appeal certain not-guilty verdicts from the first trial, he said, "It was a matter we would have won anyway. It's being presented as an issue, and I feel it's unfair."

Lawyer Nam Wook, who was released after Kim, also responded to questions about his change in testimony by saying, "There will be an opportunity to explain things clearly. The truth will be revealed," before leaving the scene.

Lawyer Nam Wook, who was indicted and found guilty in the first trial for alleged involvement in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, is seen leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 30th, after his detention period expired. [Yonhap News] 

Former Director Yoo and others were indicted on charges of obtaining illicit profits totaling 788.6 billion won and causing 48.95 billion won in losses to the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation during the Daejang-dong development project.

In October of last year, the first trial sentenced Kim and Former Director Yoo to 8 years in prison and lawyer Nam to 4 years in prison, respectively.

Although they were detained at the time, their detention periods were fulfilled due to delays in the appellate proceedings, with the first formal hearing of the second trial not taking place until February.

The current Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that the detention period is 2 months, but it can be extended twice per trial level. This means that detention can be maintained for a maximum of 6 months per trial level.