Special Prosecutor Executes Search and Seizure of Former Minister Won Heeryong’s Mobile Phone Over 'Yangpyeong Expressway Allegations'

On July 15, the second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor’s Team led by Kwon Chang-young launched a compulsory investigation into former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong in connection with the allegations of route modification for the Yangpyeong Expressway.

The special prosecutor’s team executed a search and seizure warrant on former Minister Won’s mobile phone that day. He is under suspicion of failing to follow due and proper procedures during the process of canceling the Yangpyeong Expressway project.

Former Minister Won Hee-ryong answering questions from the press. Photo by Yonhap News

The special prosecutor’s team is also examining the possible involvement of higher-ranking officials above Won during the announcement of the project cancellation. The team intends to summon Won next week to question him about the allegations.

Previously, two subpoenas were sent to former Minister Won, but delivery failed due to his absence. During the search and seizure operation on this day, authorities met with Won and reportedly coordinated the date for his summons.

The core of the route modification allegations is that, in 2023, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport promoted the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project and changed the planned terminus to an area near land owned by First Lady Kim Keon-hee's family, granting them preferential benefits.

The original plan for the terminus at Yangseo-myeon had passed a preliminary feasibility study in 2021, but suspicions arose in May 2023 when the ministry considered a new terminus at Gangsang-myeon, the location of the Kim family’s land.

Amid the controversy, former Minister Won announced the cancellation of the project in July of that same year.

Previously, the special prosecutor’s team under Min Junggi, which investigated allegations related to First Lady Kim, indicted officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, including an official surnamed Kim, on charges of exerting influence so that an alternative route, with its terminus at Gangseo-myeon near the Kim family’s land, would be deemed optimal.

However, the involvement of higher-level officials, including former Minister Won, who were suspected of giving instructions for the route change, has not yet been clarified.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.