Kim Man-bae, a major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and favoritism allegations, appeared at the court's pre-arrest interrogation today (14th).
Kim arrived at the Seoul Central District Court where the examination was held at 10:17 am today.
When asked if he acknowledged the charges, Kim said, "I deny everything. It's not true," and "I will work hard to explain in court."
Regarding the allegation that the first stake in Cheonhwa-dongin No. 1 was mentioned in the transcript sent to the prosecution by accountant Jeong Young-hak, he said, "There is no 'he' at all, and I have no memory of saying that." "I own the Cheonhwa-dongin No. repeatedly emphasized.
At the same time, he said that he plans to contest the authenticity of the recording in court, saying that it appears that accountant Jung recorded the recording with a specific intention.
He only said, "I don't have a special relationship with Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, and I met him for an interview once before."
Attorney Nam-wook, who was once a business partner, said in a recent media interview that he had virtually shifted the responsibility to himself, saying, "I have my own position, so I understand it."
Despite the fact that the prosecution requested a blitzkrieg warrant one day after the investigation into the suspect, he said, "The prosecution also has a position in the prosecution, so I will fight with the prosecution with my truth."
Kim is accused of inflicting hundreds of billions of dollars of damage on the construction company with at least 116.3 billion won plus alpha by designing the project to return a large amount to a private operator together with Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the planning division of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation.
In return, he promised to pay 70 billion won to Yoo, and he is also accused of actually offering 500 million won as a bribe.
Prosecutors also included in the charge of bribery, believing that Kim paid 5 billion won in severance pay to the son of Kwak, an employee of Hwacheon Daeyu, in exchange for receiving conveniences from Rep.
Of the 47.3 billion won that Kim borrowed from Hwacheon Daeyu, 5.5 billion won of which the purpose is unclear, the prosecution determined that Kim embezzled.
However, Mr. Kim is of the view that former general manager Yoo did not intervene in the process of removing the excess profit recovery clause, so he cannot be an accomplice to the breach of trust.
He also denies the charge of bribery, saying he never promised to give 70 billion won to Yoo, nor did he actually give 500 million won.
Rep. Kwak's son's severance pay includes compensation for industrial accidents and bonuses, and he only follows the company's internal procedures.
In particular, Kim's side protests that the prosecution's request for a warrant without presenting or listening to a transcript, which is a key piece of evidence during the investigation, is a serious violation of the right to defense.
Today's interrogation began at 10:30 with the hearing of Chief Judge Moon Seong-gwan in charge of warrants.
The decision on whether to arrest Kim, who will be a watershed in the investigation into the Daejang-dong development lobby and preferential treatment, is expected to be decided late tonight or early tomorrow.
(Photo = Yonhap News)