[2020 National Audit] Kim Jin-ae "Yoon Seok-yeol Line Involved in Lime Investigation"... Named Prosecutors Who Received Hospitality

Content of the PowerPoint (PPT) presented by Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's inspection of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and others on the 19th. / Screen capture from National Assembly Broadcasting Photo by Kim Jin-ae

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, fiercely criticized Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol for deploying prosecutors from the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction' to the investigation team at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office handling the Lime Asset Management case.

She also named a prosecutor who was allegedly entertained, as recently revealed by Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility (46, indicted and detained), in a statement from prison.

Rep. Kim said, "You all don't talk about the Lime scandal in detail, but it's all in the news," adding, "According to Kim Bong-hyun, why is it that the ruling party's side is being reported on, but the opposition party's side is neither reported nor properly investigated? This is exactly protecting one's own people."

Following this, Rep. Kim displayed photos of Lee Seong-beom, deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, Song Sam-hyun, former head of the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, and Yoon Gap-geun, former Daegu High Prosecutors' Office chief (People Power Party Chungbuk Provincial Party Chairman) on a PowerPoint (PPT) and continued her questioning.

She stated, "Prosecutor Lee Seong-beom is part of the Yoon Seok-yeol faction, and Chairman Yoon Gap-geun is confirmed by Lee Jae-oh, the standing adviser," adding, "I understand that two of the three prosecutors Kim Bong-hyun said were entertained are these."

She then asked Park Soon-cheol, head of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, "Prosecutor Lee Seong-beom is still working in the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, right?"

Regarding former Prosecutor Song, Rep. Kim said, "Before the Optimus case was transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Song Sam-hyun was in charge of the investigation, and as soon as he left the prosecution, he took on the defense of the Skin & Skin chairman involved in the Optimus fraud case," adding, "I am very upset right now; it is really unacceptable that even a former head of the district prosecutors' office does this. Does the prosecution have no code of ethics? Can one immediately take on legal defense work related to a case they were involved in?"

She continued, "Song's testimony says, 'Ruling party figures reported through the chain of command, and opposition party figures reported directly.' Does this make sense?" and pressed, "Direct reporting means it was not done through formal reporting, right? Isn't this just covering things up?"

Finally, Rep. Kim concluded her questioning by saying, "Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, sending Prosecutor Lee Seong-beom from your faction to the Lime case, and Song Sam-hyun as well... (Yes, Prosecutor General Yoon) this is not only petty but also despicable."

The next questioner, Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the heads of supervised institutions, including Chief Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon, "You should clearly say when it is not the time to ask questions so that both the questioning committee members and the public can understand," and pointed out, "Regarding the recent mention of Prosecutor Song Sam-hyun, although there are inappropriate aspects related to taking on legal cases, the Optimus case was investigated by the Central District Prosecutors' Office, so he did not take on a case he was investigating."

Meanwhile, former Prosecutor General Yoon stated in the afternoon regarding Rep. Kim's remarks, "I do not know Kim Bong-hyun, nor have I ever gone to a room salon with any of the prosecutors mentioned," and added, "Rep. Kim Jin-ae is making clearly false statements, and I will hold her accountable both civilly and criminally."