Kim Woo-jung Arrives at Dawn

The investigative department of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office (SPPO), headed by Park Young-su, said on June 13 that it would execute an arrest warrant for Kim Woo-jung, the former chairman of Daewoo Group, as soon as he arrives at Incheon International Airport early in the morning of June 14, and will start an investigation right away.

Chief prosecutor Park said, “Kim sent documents pleading guilty and asking for the resumption of indictment,” and added, “This indicates that he admits his charges, and thus may be subject to mitigation of punishment.”

The former Daewoo chairman will leave Hanoi, Vietnam at 1:30 a.m., June 14, on Asiana Flight 734, and will arrive at Incheon at 5:50 a.m.

According to a source in Vietnam, five people, including his doctors and lawyer as well as Kim, have business-class seats reserved for the Asiana flight, and those seats will be separated from other seats in the class.

The chief prosecutor said, “Prosecutors and investigative officers will be dispatched to arrest Kim at the airport. After finishing the arrival procedure, he will be ushered to the SPPO for questioning.”

He will not be allowed to issue a statement or have an exclusive interview, according to the prosecution.

The prosecution plans to investigate charges of window dressing of 41 trillion, fraudulent loan of 10 trillion won, and foreign currency transfer of 25 trillion won overseas.

It will also inquire into illegal political funds he gave to Song Young-gil, an Uri party lawmaker and Lee Jae-myung, a former Democratic Party representative. Song and Lee were convicted of violations of political fund law. On the other hand, Choi Gi-seon, the former mayor of Incheon City, was acquitted of the charge of receiving bribes from Kim.

The prosecution will apply for an arrest warrant for Kim around June 15 and is planning to indict him around July 5 after some 20 days of investigation.

Keuk-In Bae Joong-Hyun Park bae2150@donga.com sanjuck@donga.com