A preliminary arrest warrant was filed for a public official at Pocheon City Hall in Gyeonggi, who was suspicious of speculation by borrowing billions of won to purchase land and buildings near the planned train station.
This is the first case of application for an arrest warrant in the all-round investigation of alleged speculation of public officials at the Joint Special Investigation Headquarters of the government, which started with allegations of speculation by employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).
In addition, the confiscation and preservation of the real estate purchased by the public official was decided, and the real estate could not be disposed of until the final judgment in this case.
On the 24th, the Special Investigation Unit for Real Estate Speculation Crimes of the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency announced today (24) that it has applied for a preliminary arrest warrant for A, an executive level official from Pocheon City, for violating the law on the establishment and operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.
The police also filed for confiscation of the real estate purchased by Mr. A, and the decision was cited in the Uijeongbu District Law this afternoon.
Confiscation preservation refers to a court's disposition that prevents a criminal suspect from arbitrarily disposing of illegally profitable property subject to confiscation before receiving a final judgment.
In September of last year, under a joint name with his wife, Mr. A purchased 2,600m2 of land and a one-story prefabricated building near the planned historic site of the urban railway line 7 in Pocheon city for 4 billion won through mortgage loans and credit loans.
In 2019, before Mr. A bought the real estate, the police reported that he used internal information that he learned while in charge of the urban railroad extension project, that is, a business secret, and investigated it.
Even if it is known that trains are entering the area, it is judged that the specific location of the station could be regarded as a business secret if it was not officially announced at a public hearing or briefing session for local residents.
We are also looking into whether there was any illegality in the process of obtaining a loan worth billions of won by Mr. A.
On the 21st, the police summoned Mr. A to investigate, and on the 15th, the office and residence of Pocheon City Hall, where Mr. A worked, were seized and searched.
However, Mr. A is known to have denied the charges, claiming that "it was already known information that a railway station could be established in the area."
(Photo = Yonhap News)