Special Prosecutor Summons Former Minister Won Hee-ryong as Suspect in Yangpyeong Highway Cancellation Probe

South Korea's special prosecutor's office has summoned former Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Won Hee-ryong, as a suspect in the ongoing investigation into the controversial Yangpyeong highway project. The probe centers on allegations that Won abused his authority when he decided to completely scrap the highway development.

The controversy erupted in July 2023 when accusations surfaced that the planned route for the highway extension was altered. Critics claimed the revised route would benefit land owned by the family of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee. In response to these allegations, Won announced the project's complete cancellation.

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If making a political decision as a minister is a crime, I will not 구차하게 avoid it. If there is a crime, arrest me.

Investigators are now examining whether Won's decision to abandon the project, separate from the route change itself, constituted an abuse of power. Won has publicly addressed the situation, stating on his Facebook page, "If making a political decision as a minister is a crime, I will not 구차하게 (clumsily/desperately) avoid it. If there is a crime, arrest me." He challenged the prosecution, saying, "Don't make flimsy arguments; if there is a crime, arrest me."

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's office has also sought arrest warrants for Kim Jong-wook, former head of the Coast Guard, and Ahn Sung-sik, former deputy head of the Coast Guard's planning and coordination division. They are being investigated for allegedly discussing the deployment of investigative personnel immediately after the declaration of martial law.

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Don't make flimsy arguments; if there is a crime, arrest me.