Yoo Byung-ho, an auditor at the Board of Audit and Inspection, appeared in court on July 20 for a warrant review related to allegations of a flawed audit concerning the relocation of the presidential residence.
Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court began the hearing at 10 a.m. on charges of abuse of authority against Yoo. The court is expected to announce its decision later in the evening.
Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court began the hearing at 10 a.m. on charges of abuse of authority against Yoo. The court is expected to announce its decision later in the evening.
Yoo arrived at the court around 9:40 a.m. He did not respond to reporters' questions about what he planned to clarify or whether there was any favoritism in the audit as he made his way into the courtroom.
The second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, filed for a warrant for Yoo's arrest on July 14.
Yoo is accused of improperly abusing his authority to downplay and conceal the results of an audit related to the relocation of the presidential residence during his tenure as the Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection under President Yoon Suk Yeol.
After taking office, President Yoon moved the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan and the residence to the former minister of foreign affairs' residence. This process raised various suspicions regarding the selection of construction companies and costs, prompting civic groups to request a public audit.
In September 2024, the Board of Audit and Inspection released a report on "illegal suspicions regarding the relocation of the presidential office and residence and the use of funds." The report indicated that the presidential office requested a qualified contractor for expansion work from 21Gram, which then sought participation from WonDam Construction, a company with a general construction license.
However, the special prosecutor's office suspects that the appearance of legality was created using WonDam Construction, while 21Gram, which lacked a construction license, actually handled all the work. They believe the Board of Audit and Inspection was aware of this during the audit process but intentionally concealed it, misrepresenting that 21Gram was only responsible for interior work.
Earlier, the special prosecutor's office conducted searches and seizures at the Board of Audit and Inspection and Yoo's office in May to secure relevant documents. They subsequently summoned officials from the Board of Audit and Inspection to investigate the circumstances surrounding the report's preparation and directives. On July 14, they called Yoo in as a suspect for questioning.
Yoo Byung-ho stated at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon that "the audit of the residence relocation was carried out with the utmost diligence by all involved, adhering to the law and principles," firmly denying the allegations.
The second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, filed for a warrant for Yoo's arrest on July 14.
Yoo is accused of improperly abusing his authority to downplay and conceal the results of an audit related to the relocation of the presidential residence during his tenure as the Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection under President Yoon Suk Yeol.
After taking office, President Yoon moved the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan and the residence to the former minister of foreign affairs' residence. This process raised various suspicions regarding the selection of construction companies and costs, prompting civic groups to request a public audit.
In September 2024, the Board of Audit and Inspection released a report on "illegal suspicions regarding the relocation of the presidential office and residence and the use of funds." The report indicated that the presidential office requested a qualified contractor for expansion work from 21Gram, which then sought participation from WonDam Construction, a company with a general construction license.
However, the special prosecutor's office suspects that the appearance of legality was created using WonDam Construction, while 21Gram, which lacked a construction license, actually handled all the work. They believe the Board of Audit and Inspection was aware of this during the audit process but intentionally concealed it, misrepresenting that 21Gram was only responsible for interior work.
Earlier, the special prosecutor's office conducted searches and seizures at the Board of Audit and Inspection and Yoo's office in May to secure relevant documents. They subsequently summoned officials from the Board of Audit and Inspection to investigate the circumstances surrounding the report's preparation and directives. On July 14, they called Yoo in as a suspect for questioning.
Yoo Byung-ho stated at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon that "the audit of the residence relocation was carried out with the utmost diligence by all involved, adhering to the law and principles," firmly denying the allegations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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