Prosecutors Summon Cho Kuk for Investigation Over Alleged Involvement in 'Kim Hak-ui Illegal Departure Case'

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] It has been confirmed that the prosecution summoned former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is suspected of being involved in the 'illegal travel ban of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui' case, for questioning.

According to the legal community on the 23rd, the investigation team led by Lee Jeongseop, head of the Criminal Division 3 at Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, summoned former Minister Cho as a witness at 10 a.m. the previous day and conducted an investigation. The prosecution is reported to have confirmed the facts regarding how former Minister Cho was involved in the illegal travel ban imposed on former Vice Minister Kim in March 2019 during his time as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, and whether he exerted pressure to prevent the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Anyang Branch from investigating the matter afterward.

Earlier, on the 6th, the prosecution submitted an application to the court to amend the indictment, which included evidence of former Minister Cho's involvement, in the indictment against Prosecutor Lee Gyuwon and Cha Gyugeun, head of the Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters at the Ministry of Justice, who were indicted for imposing the illegal travel ban on former Vice Minister Kim.

The application contained details that in March 2019, upon learning that former Vice Minister Kim was attempting to leave the country, a call was made to Lee Gwangcheol, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs (then Senior Administrative Officer), stating that approval from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office was necessary for the travel ban, and that Lee then contacted former Minister Cho. It also included information that former Minister Cho contacted Yoon Daejin, then Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, who in turn contacted Bong Wook, then Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, to convey Prosecutor Lee's request.

With this investigation, the prosecution has completed summoning and questioning most of the individuals identified as the so-called 'upper echelon' in the illegal travel ban case. A prosecution official stated, "It is true that we summoned and investigated," but added, "We cannot disclose the details of the investigation."