Yoon's brother-in-law referred to prosecution in land scandal

Police referred President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brother-in-law to the prosecution on Friday for his involvement in the land development scandal in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, marking an end to the 18-month-long investigation.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and first lady Kim Keon-hee applaud after a luncheon marking the opening of the Yongsan Children's Garden in central Seoul on May 4. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Police referred President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brother-in-law to the prosecution on Friday for his involvement in the land development scandal in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, marking an end to the 18-month-long investigation.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency on Friday said Yoon’s brother-in-law, the CEO of ESI&D, the project’s developer, along with four other employees were sent to the prosecution for allegedly forging documents to pay less of a development charge.

A total of three public officials in the city development department of the Yangpyeong County Office were also handed over to the prosecution for allegedly extending the project development deadline upon the company's request.

Police concluded Yoon’s mother-in-law Choi Eun-soon, the founder of the company, and first lady Kim Keon-hee, who once served as the internal director, were irrelevant to the case as they stepped down from their positions before the project kicked off.

ESI&D is a land developer owned only by family members of Yoon’s in-laws.

The company purchased land in Gongheung-ri in Yangpyeong in December 2006. It then initiated a land development project to build apartment houses for 350 households from 2011 to 2016. Houses were sold in August 2014, and the company made a total of 79.8 billion won ($59.7 million) in sales.

Police raid Yangpyeong County Office in Gyeonggi on Dec. 30, 2021. [YONHAP]

The allegations that Yangpyeong County granted privileges to the families of Yoon’s in-laws regarding the land development were brought up by the Democratic Party and opposing civic groups when Yoon ran for presidential election in November 2021.

These allegations grew as the initial development period granted by the country office was extended long after the initial deadline. The county office initially granted two years for the development project in November 2012 according to its urban planning. But the project was extended to July 2016 after the company asked for an extension in June 2016, which was almost two years after the approved deadline.

The public officials who allegedly extended the deadline are also being accused of not reporting this type of incident appropriately. An extension of the project development period normally requires approval from high-ranking officials, above the deputy county chief, and collected opinions from nearby residents.

Police denied the allegation that family members of Yoon’s in-laws and the county office had a close relationship. The accusation was made as the company did not pay any development charge to the county. Around 1.7 billion won was initially imposed but was dropped after the company appealed.

Later, during the presidential election in 2021, the county office reversed its decision and charged the company 187 million won.

Police on Friday also dismissed the allegation against Yoon's mother-in-law Choi who was accused of violating the Farmland Act for purchasing farmlands in Yangpyeong in December 2005 for the purpose of land speculation. The allegation was dismissed due to the expiration of a five-year statute of limitations.

BY SON SUNG-BAE, CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]