A Firmly Closed Mouth... Will Son Junseong Change After the Chuseok Holiday?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "Be prepared to reveal everything as if taking off your clothes."

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer and former chief prosecutor, recently advised Son Jun-sung, former Policy Officer of Investigation Information at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (currently Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office), who is the key figure in the so-called 'accusation solicitation' suspicion involving requests to file complaints against ruling party figures during former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's tenure, on social media (SNS).

He said, "Based on the character and attitude of my junior that I know, I am 200% confident that there was absolutely no collusion such as solicitation of accusations or delivery of draft complaints," adding, "However, the ambiguous claims of Rep. Kim Woong of the People Power Party have complicated the situation. If what my junior says is true, how pathetic and wasteful is this controversy?"

He continued, "If there are any communications between you and Rep. Kim around early April last year, disclose them all." He also emphasized, "Doing so is the first step to preventing unfair and wasteful controversies and stopping election interference disguised as investigations by the biased Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) or some prosecutors."

Along with lawyer Seok, voices demanding active explanations from Prosecutor Son have been growing recently in the legal community. They see Prosecutor Son as holding the key to ending this suspicion, which is currently rampant with baseless speculation.

Prosecutor Son is suspected of having initially drafted the complaint targeting ruling party figures and delivering it to Rep. Kim via Telegram. The ruling party is aggressively asserting that former Prosecutor General Yoon, a leading opposition presidential candidate, likely gave the underlying instructions.

Forced investigations targeting Prosecutor Son have already begun. On the 10th, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) conducted searches of Prosecutor Son's home and office, securing his mobile phone and other materials related to the suspicion. The suspicion is being simultaneously examined by the CIO, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and the police. The investigation is intensifying rapidly. Recently, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office expanded the investigation team by pulling one prosecutor each from the Public Investigation Division 2, Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Cooperation Division, and Economic Crime Criminal Division to join the Public Investigation Division 1, which is handling the case.

After the Chuseok holiday, there is also a possibility that the Ministry of Justice will convert this investigation into an inspection. While there are expectations that a formal investigation will proceed, many also anticipate that the CIO will soon request an arrest warrant for Prosecutor Son.

Prosecutor Son is on the verge of facing a strong wave of pressure. Nevertheless, he has remained tight-lipped so far, only denying the allegations. He has not yet spoken about his relationship with former Prosecutor General Yoon, which has been discussed in political circles. Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye and others view Prosecutor Son as close and loyal to Yoon, considering him "Yoon's man." They claim this is the main reason why Prosecutor Son wrote and delivered the complaint. Minister Park has said, "There are sufficient reasons." However, on the 14th, Prosecutor Son issued a statement emphasizing, "I have never drafted a complaint or delivered a complaint or attached materials to Rep. Kim Woong of the People Power Party."

Will things change after the Chuseok holiday? There are signs of possibility. On the morning of the 16th, Prosecutor Son did not avoid the press as he entered through the main gate of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office. This was a change after two weeks since the accusation solicitation suspicion was raised. Until then, he had taken leave, used other entrances to move to his office, and kept the window blinds down all day to avoid exposure. Some interpret this as a sign that he is now prepared to respond to the investigation against him.