[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party's 'Lime·Optimus Power Corruption Gate Special Committee' criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's exercise of investigative command authority and announced that it has completed drafting the special prosecutor bill. Minister Choo also emphasized that if there is obstruction of investigation, it should be subject to a special prosecutor.
On the 20th, Kwon Seong-dong, chairman of the special committee, said in a back briefing immediately after a press conference, "To clearly reveal the Lime·Optimus case and resolve public suspicions, the introduction of a special prosecutor is urgent."
Chairman Kwon said, "We have drafted the special prosecutor bill at the special committee level and are planning to decide on submitting the special prosecutor bill after consulting with the party leadership," adding, "Only Minister Choo's resignation and the introduction of a special prosecutor can end this political strife and set the Republic of Korea straight." He stated that the decision on submitting the special prosecutor bill will be made after consultation with floor leader Joo Ho-young.
He explained, "The special prosecutor targets are those related to the protection suspicions of political and government figures involved in the Lime·Optimus fraud, and I understand there are more key figures than former Star Mobility chairman Kim Bong-hyun," adding, "We have included all abuses of authority and dereliction of duty related to case handling and investigation as subjects of investigation." He further added, "Minister Choo will also be subject to investigation if there is suspicion of obstruction."
Regarding Minister Choo's exercise of investigative command authority, Chairman Kwon said, "As everyone knows, a Democratic Party regional committee chairman was arrested for accepting 80 million won, and Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min and Chief Secretary of the National Assembly Kang Ki-jung are also mentioned as investigation targets and are under suspicion," adding, "I believe Minister Choo judged that if Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol continues to lead the investigation, it would be difficult to hide corruption within the ruling party."
In the press release on the same day, the special committee emphasized that "the result of an investigation led by Choo Mi-ae, who clearly conducts commissioned investigations as 'Minister of Justice,' is predictable," and stressed that the introduction of a special prosecutor is the answer. The committee stated, "(Former chairman Kim's prison letter) is a one-sided exposure by a fraudster and contains many parts that are clearly fictitious at a glance, but Minister Choo insists that investigations against prosecutors and the opposition party are not proceeding solely because of Prosecutor General Yoon," and criticized, "Even the claim that prosecutors participating in the Lime investigation team were entertained is based on a time before the investigation started, and the personnel authority over prosecutors is held by the Minister of Justice."
They criticized, "Minister Choo included the accusation case related to Prosecutor General Yoon's family in the 'removal of the prosecutor general's investigative authority' target," adding, "When investigating the previous administration, the ruling party even held a press conference saying 'there is no problem,' but now the Minister of Justice has directly ordered the investigation. They want to somehow remove the disobedient prosecutor general and cover up the foul-smelling power-type fund gate."
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