[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 17th, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol ordered a swift and thorough investigation into allegations of prosecutor misconduct related to the Lime Asset Management redemption suspension incident that surfaced the previous day.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that afternoon, "The Prosecutor General instructed the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office to promptly investigate the 'prosecutor misconduct allegations' concerning the recently controversial 'additional lobbying suspicions related to the Lime case' and to strictly and thoroughly determine whether there is any criminal liability."
Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility (46, indicted and detained), who was identified as a key figure in the 'Lime incident' the day before, revealed lobbying activities involving opposition politicians and active prosecutors in a statement sent to the media.
In the statement, Chairman Kim claimed that he entertained three active prosecutors, introduced to him by lawyer A, a former prosecutor who was the lead prosecutor during the time of President Roh Moo-hyun's death, with about 10 million won worth of drinks at a room salon in Cheongdam-dong. During the gathering, (A) said they were "prosecutors who might join the Lime investigation team if it is formed later," and shortly after, one of them actually became the person in charge of the (Lime) investigation, he asserted.
Kim also stated that he testified about lobbying involving a prominent opposition politician, financial sector figures, and prosecutors during the prosecution's investigation, but claimed that the prosecution did not properly investigate and covered up the case.
Immediately after Kim's revelations, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae ordered the Ministry of Justice to directly commence an inspection of the prosecutors implicated in the allegations to thoroughly uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, in political circles, regarding Kim's statement from prison, the ruling party criticized the prosecution and opposition parties, saying it "shows the urgent need for the prompt launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)," while opposition parties, suspecting attempts by the Blue House and ruling party politicians to deflect attention from the 'Lime and Optimus incidents'?in which they are under investigation as lobbying targets?cited expressions such as 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction' used in Kim's statement and continue to call for the introduction of a special prosecutor, leading to ongoing disputes between the parties.
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