[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 26th, when the number of confirmed domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exceeded 1,000 for the first time, it was reported that the prosecution is operating its schedule flexibly by delaying the start of compulsory investigations into important cases as much as possible.
According to the prosecution on that day, the spread of COVID-19 is having a significant impact on prosecution investigation work. Prosecutors are refraining from directly investigating persons involved in cases unless the statute of limitations or the period for detention investigation is about to expire, focusing instead on strengthening the substance of investigations within their offices. They are also avoiding searches and seizures.
A representative example is the 'Samsung merger suspicion' investigation, which had been accelerating by summoning current and former Samsung executives one after another before the COVID-19 outbreak. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is reportedly postponing direct investigations of persons involved in this case for the time being. This is because the persons involved are reluctant to go out for prosecution summons, and frontline prosecutors feel burdened by face-to-face investigations. Instead, other methods such as written investigations are being considered.
In the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, where many confirmed cases have occurred, it is known that many suspects refuse to respond to prosecution summons, citing symptoms such as fever or cough. Even if the investigation target is a suspect, if the statute of limitations is not a major variable, it is reported that in many cases investigations are postponed rather than responding with compulsory investigations when attendance is refused.
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