Ministry of Justice Investigating Kim Bong-hyun Says "Reviewing Subjects and Methods of Lobbying Investigation Involving Opposition Politicians and Prosecutors"... Kim Do-eup: "Smells Like a 'Well-Designed Scenario,' Special Prosecutor Must Be Appointed"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the prosecution's investigation into lobbying allegations involving opposition politicians and prosecutors, as exposed by former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun (46, detained and indicted) through a statement from prison, was not properly conducted. The ministry stated that it is currently reviewing the investigative body and methods separately from the internal inspection.

After Kim’s statement was made public through media reports, the Ministry of Justice conducted an internal inspection of Kim over three days. Based on Kim’s testimony, the ministry expressed distrust in the prosecution’s investigation. This is expected to spark intense political disputes between ruling and opposition parties over whether to replace the current investigative team with a special investigation headquarters or a special prosecutor.

Ministry of Justice Reviewing Investigative Body and Methods Regarding Lobbying Allegations Against Opposition Politicians and Prosecutors

On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice announced, “From the 16th to the 18th, a direct internal inspection was conducted on former Lime Asset Management CEO Kim in relation to the Lime Asset Management case. Despite Kim’s testimony to the prosecution regarding allegations reported recently in the media, such as ‘entertainment and bribery misconduct involving prosecutors and investigators’ and ‘billion-won bribery lobbying targeting opposition politicians who are former chief prosecutors,’ it was confirmed that the related investigations were not properly conducted.”

The ministry added, “Although the Prosecutor General was directly involved in selecting prosecutors for the Lime Asset Management case and repeatedly emphasized thorough investigations, there are suspicions that, unlike with ruling party figures, he did not order a thorough investigation into the misconduct of opposition politicians and prosecutors despite receiving detailed reports. Considering the relevance of these suspicions, the results of the ongoing internal inspection, and the nature of the allegations raised, the ministry is reviewing the investigative body and methods separately from the ongoing internal inspection.”

On the 16th, Kim, identified as a key figure in the ‘Lime scandal,’ revealed lobbying activities targeting opposition politicians and active prosecutors through a statement sent to media outlets from prison.

In the statement, Kim claimed that he entertained three active prosecutors, introduced by lawyer A?who was a prosecutor in charge during the late President Roh Moo-hyun’s death case?at a room salon in Cheongdam-dong with drinks worth about 10 million won. During the gathering, A reportedly said, “These are 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.

Kim also stated that he testified about lobbying activities targeting a prominent opposition politician, financial sector figures, and prosecutors during the prosecution’s investigation, but the prosecution failed to properly investigate and covered up the case.

Immediately after Kim’s revelations, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae ordered the Ministry of Justice to directly initiate an internal inspection of the prosecutors implicated to ensure a thorough fact-finding.

Additionally, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol instructed a swift and thorough investigation into the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct related to the Lime Asset Management redemption suspension case the day before.

Kim Do-eup, Senior Member of the People Power Party on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee: “This Is the Result of Moon Jae-in Government’s Prosecutorial Personnel Decisions; Accept Special Prosecutor”

Meanwhile, the opposition party is placing responsibility for the incident on the ruling party and Minister Choo.

Kim Do-eup, senior member of the People Power Party on the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, issued a press release stating, “Given the allegations raised by former Kim, the lobbying suspicions involving opposition politicians and prosecutors must be swiftly and accurately investigated to leave no doubt.” However, he criticized, “The main culprit of Lime sends a letter from prison to the media, the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office quickly issues a statement, Minister Choo immediately orders an internal inspection, and the Democratic Party attacks the opposition. It reeks of a ‘well-orchestrated scenario.’”

He continued, “The prosecution currently belongs to the Moon Jae-in government. Despite numerous criticisms and concerns about prosecutorial personnel decisions during the Moon administration, they were ignored and carried out. Ultimately, the allegations of inadequate and concealed investigations raised by former Kim are the result of the Moon government’s prosecutorial personnel decisions.”

Kim further stated, “Minister Choo also bears significant responsibility for mismanagement and supervision. She reorganized the prosecution system under the guise of reform and placed her own people in key positions. This has led to a decline in the prosecution’s investigative capabilities. Now, to hear talk of internal inspections is laughable.”

Kim pointed out, “The core message of former Kim’s letter from prison is that ‘the current Lime investigation team at the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office cannot be trusted.’ The current investigation team was appointed by the Moon administration. Notably, Park Soon-chul, who is leading the Lime investigation, was promoted to head of the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office this August after serving as chief of the Uijeongbu Prosecutors’ Office. During his tenure there, he indicted Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s mother-in-law and is considered part of Minister Choo’s faction.”

Finally, Kim urged the prompt introduction of a special prosecutor.

He said, “When the allegations surfaced, the Democratic Party accused the opposition of silence and shifted responsibility onto them. Their claim is sheer hypocrisy. On the 16th, as soon as former Kim’s letter from prison was made public, I officially proposed a special prosecutor at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s national audit, urging the Democratic Party to proactively call for a special prosecutor instead of merely raising suspicions. The Democratic Party remained silent on that proposal.”

Kim emphasized, “Since the Democratic Party is raising suspicions based on former Kim’s letter and Minister Choo has ordered an internal inspection due to the seriousness of the matter, the People Power Party once again proposes the introduction of a special prosecutor to uncover the substantive truth. We urge the Democratic Party to immediately accept this proposal.”