[On-Site Video] "Political Offensive" vs "Where There's Smoke, There's Fire?" Controversy Over Yoon's 'Complaint Instigation' Allegations

[Asia Economy, Reporter Han Seung-gon and Producer Yoon Jin-geun] "Could this be a political scheme?" "Where there's smoke, there's fire."

An investigation is underway into allegations that, during his tenure as Prosecutor General, Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential primary candidate for the People Power Party, directed the prosecution to encourage the filing of complaints against ruling party figures. On September 10, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) carried out simultaneous searches and seizures targeting key figures in the so-called "complaint instigation" case, including Prosecutor Son Jun-sung and lawmaker Kim Woong.

The public is divided over the "complaint instigation" controversy, which has raised suspicions about the political neutrality of the prosecution. On the afternoon of September 9 at Seoul Station Plaza, citizens expressed a range of opinions-from criticism by political circles suggesting this could be a political scheme, to arguments that the circumstances inevitably raise suspicion.

Mr. Lee (61), who stated that he resides in Busan, said, "I don't believe the complaint instigation allegations are true; I see this as a political offensive." He emphasized, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon was not someone who intended to enter politics from the beginning, so it's hard to accept the claim that he deliberately targeted ruling party figures at that time." He added, "If the allegations are false, there must be a group behind the instigation, and if that group is revealed, I believe it would be from the ruling party."

Another citizen, Mr. Kim in his 60s, remarked, "Where there's smoke, there's fire," and added, "I think there must be something behind these stories involving former Prosecutor General Yoon and lawmaker Kim." He went on to say, "If the allegations are true, former Prosecutor General Yoon will be eliminated from the race early." He also criticized, "Citizens likely supported him out of dissatisfaction with the current administration and a desire for a change in government, but if this turns out to be true, would conscientious citizens still support him?"

Mr. Choi (46), an office worker, commented, "It could be true or it could be a smear campaign-the probability seems fifty-fifty." He continued, "I also feel that people around them are making the issue bigger." He added, "If the controversy turns out to be true, since both lawmaker Kim Woong and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol have denied the allegations, that aspect will become a major issue."

Meanwhile, the CIO's Third Investigation Division announced that on the morning of September 10, prosecutors and investigators were dispatched to secure evidence at lawmaker Kim Woong's office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, and at the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, where Prosecutor Son Jun-sung is stationed. It was reported that the search and seizure also included the residences of both lawmaker Kim and Prosecutor Son.

Lawmaker Kim is suspected of having received a complaint form targeting ruling party figures from Prosecutor Son Jun-sung-who was then the Director of Investigation Information Policy at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office-just before last year's general election, and of passing it on to the party.