South Korea's former Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong summoned over Yangpyeong highway route scandal

Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong will appear before the 2nd Comprehensive Special Prosecutor team on 23 February at 10 a.m. The team, led by prosecutor Kwon Chang‑young, is investigating alleged abuse of authority and obstruction of rights linked to the Seoul‑Yangpyeong highway route change.

The controversy centres on the decision to shift the highway’s endpoint from the originally approved Yangseo‑myeon area (which passed a 2021 feasibility study) to Gang‑sang‑myeon, land owned by First Lady Kim Keon‑hee’s family. Critics allege the change provided undue benefit to the First Lady’s relatives. Won cancelled the project in July 2023 after the scandal surfaced. The probe follows earlier actions, including a travel ban on Won, raids on the Ministry and Korea Expressway Corporation, and the seizure of his mobile phone on 15 February. Previous summonses were ignored after the ministry locked its doors.

Investigators will also examine whether Won and other officials bypassed legal procedures, such as failing to conduct required reviews under the National Finance Law and Road Act, and whether they compelled contractors or agencies to act without proper authority.