[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) summoned lawyer Jo Sang-gyu (Legal Advisory Committee member of the United Future Party) for questioning regarding the 'accusation manipulation' allegations.
According to the legal community on the 11th, the PCC summoned lawyer Jo in the afternoon as a witness to investigate the circumstances under which the accusation letter against Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, was drafted. On the 6th, the PCC conducted a search of Jo's office, and Jo observed the digital forensic examination of seized items, including mobile phones secured by the PCC.
Lawyer Jo was responsible for filing the accusation against Leader Choi in August last year. This accusation letter sparked controversy as it resembled the 'Sent by Son Joon-sung' accusation letter that People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong initially sent via Telegram to whistleblower Jo Seong-eun on April 8 last year.
The PCC suspects that the 'April 8 accusation letter' was delivered to lawyer Jo through Son Joon-sung, Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office (then Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), lawmaker Kim, whistleblower Jo, and then People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Jeom-sik, who was the head of the legal support team at the time, and that the actual accusation was made in August.
As a result of this accusation, Leader Choi was found guilty in the first trial of violating the Public Official Election Act for stating before last year's general election that "the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk actually interned," and was fined 800,000 won.
Lawyer Jo is reported to have maintained his previous position that "the content received from the party differs from the draft that lawmaker Kim delivered."
The PCC plans to summon lawmaker Kim Woong as a suspect as early as this week. Lawmaker Kim is suspected of exchanging Telegram messages with whistleblower Jo in April last year and handing over accusation letters concerning passport personnel received from Prosecutor Son.
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