The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) Investigates Whistleblower in 'Jebo Saju Suspicion' Case... May Comment on Indictment Status and Investigation Direction
Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo), is discussing with a panel of journalists after delivering a keynote speech on "Democratic Republic and the Rule of Law" at the Kwanhun Forum held on the 25th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO), will attend the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The HCIO currently holds both the allegations of report solicitation against former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and the allegations of tip solicitation involving National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, drawing keen attention to what responses Kim will provide regarding investigation fairness controversies and the direction of the investigations.
According to the legal community on the 24th, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee will hold a plenary session at 11 a.m. in the main building of the National Assembly. Although the agenda includes the amendment to the National Assembly Act stipulating the establishment of the Sejong Assembly Hall, more time is expected to be devoted to current issues directed at the HCIO and prosecution, such as the report solicitation allegations and the 'Daejang-dong development project preferential treatment' involving Hwacheon Daeyu.
Attention is focused on Kim's 'words.' While Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye expresses his stance on current issues daily to reporters on his way to work, Kim has avoided contact with the media as much as possible. Just before the Chuseok holiday, when he visited the government Gwacheon building press room, he only responded to the report solicitation allegations by saying, "The HCIO has no choice but to investigate, and we will do so fairly and promptly."
Earlier, the HCIO registered former Prosecutor General Yoon and Son Jun-sung, Daegu High Prosecutors' Office Human Rights Protection Officer (former head of the Investigation Information Policy Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), as suspects on the 9th, four days after receiving the complaint related to the report solicitation allegations. The next day, they executed search warrants on Son's residence and office. This led to criticism from some quarters that the HCIO had recklessly registered suspects without concrete charges against a leading opposition presidential candidate.
The controversy over investigation fairness somewhat subsided after the HCIO summoned and investigated a person from Yoon's side who had filed a complaint against Director Park and others for the so-called 'tip solicitation' allegations two days after receiving the complaint. On the 15th, the HCIO summoned lawyer Choi from Yoon's campaign legal team as a complainant and questioned him for about two hours. On the 13th, Yoon's campaign's 'Political Conspiracy Truth Investigation Special Committee' filed complaints against Director Park, tip provider Jo Seong-eun, and an unidentified person for violations of the National Intelligence Service Act and Public Official Election Act.
Therefore, Kim is likely to directly or indirectly mention the registration status of the tip solicitation allegations during the National Assembly session. Since the HCIO moved quickly to secure evidence in the report solicitation case, it is expected to show the same response speed regarding the tip solicitation allegations. Moreover, the scope of the HCIO's investigation is expected to broaden. Jo has raised suspicions that Director Park is behind her, and she has announced plans to file complaints with the HCIO against Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, who called her the 'second Eol Juka,' as well as against lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong and Jang Je-won.
Additionally, Kim may provide an official stance on other cases that have seen no progress for months after registration. Since its launch, the HCIO is known to have registered a total of 13 cases. These include Seoul Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's 'unfair special recruitment of dismissed teachers,' allegations of false reporting and leakage of the meeting report between Prosecutor Lee Gyu-won and Yun Joong-cheon, allegations of indictment document leaks by Seoul High Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon, allegations of illegal pressure in the Kim Hak-eui illegal deportation investigation, allegations of abuse of authority by prosecutors at the Haenam branch of Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, and allegations of inadequate investigation into the Busan 'LCT' case.
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