Supreme Court justice denies any link to Daejang-dong scandal

Feb 24, 2022, 09:08 am

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Supreme Court Justice Cho Jae-youn speaks during a press conference at the Supreme Court in Seoul on Feb. 23, 2022./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Kim Hyun-goo

Supreme Court Justice Cho Jae-youn denied Wednesday any link to a massive land development scandal in the Daejang-dong district in Seongnam, south of Seoul, saying the allegations are groundless. In particular, Cho said he will actively respond to investigations and provide documents if requested by investigative agencies, urging for a prompt investigation to reveal the truth of the case.

“I have neither met Kim Man-bae, the largest shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, officially or personally nor known or talked to him,” Cho said in a press conference held at the Supreme Court in Seoul.

The justice said he held the press conference because he was concerned about growing distrust of the judiciary as the controversy was mounting gradually this time, unlike in October last year when the allegations were raised. It was the first time a sitting Supreme Court justice held a press conference.

Regarding Kim Man-bae’s recordings where Kim said he promised a luxury house to an incumbent Supreme Court justice, Cho said that he has been living in the same residence for nearly 30 years. “None of my family or relatives has won the ownership of an apartment located in Daejang-dong,” he said.

“I asked my daughters if they knew or heard anything about the Pangyo townhouse, but they told me they have never known or heard of it,” Cho said. “I will immediately submit documents, such as a copy of my daughters’ resident registration records if requested by the Supreme Court, the prosecution or any institution. There is no reason to avoid it.”

When asked why Kim had mentioned him whom he has never met, Cho answered, “I have no idea why he talked about this with people related to Daejang-dong case.”

He even indirectly requested the prosecution’s active investigation into the allegations surrounding him. “As far as I remember, it has been nearly half a year since the Daejang-dong case was filed with the prosecution through accusation,” Cho said.

“If the prosecution needs me for anything related to the Daejang-dong case, please call me immediately,” he said. “I hope the prosecution will also play a part in ending the controversy.”

Currently, Cho has been charged with bribery by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Previously, the police searched and seizure townhouses and management offices related to Cho’s suspicions but failed to find any related evidence. In October last year, the prosecution is reported to have concluded that the allegations were not substantive. However, as he was accused by the CIO, attention is focused on whether or not he will be indicted.

#supreme court justice #Cho Jae-youn #Daejang-dong