Kim Oh-soo "Not a Target to Avoid in the Daejang-dong Case"... "Many Unfair Suspicions About Seongnam City's Legal Advisor"

On the 18th, Kim Oh-soo, Prosecutor General, attended the National Assembly Judiciary Committee's audit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo stated on the 18th during the National Assembly audit that he will not evade the investigation related to the Daejang-dong case. He also expressed his frustration, clarifying that his role as a legal advisor for Seongnam City before his appointment as Prosecutor General was done on a voluntary basis and has no connection to the current case.

On the morning of the 18th, during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s audit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, Prosecutor General Kim responded to People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye’s question about whether he intends to evade the investigation into this case.

Lawmaker Jeon, who raised the question, asked, "Previously, the arrest warrant for Kim Man-bae was dismissed due to insufficient investigation, which was somewhat embarrassing for the prosecution. Is the investigation progressing to the extent that the arrest warrant for Nam Wook was promptly requested and issued?"

Prosecutor General Kim replied, "I cannot comment on the investigation status, but please wait and see as the investigation is ongoing."

Lawmaker Jeon said, "The Daejang-dong investigation inevitably has a decisive impact on the presidential election, and I believe the prosecution must stake its reputation on it. However, the prosecution’s willingness to investigate is not visible. The search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall was very delayed, and the mayor’s office was bypassed. Isn’t it appropriate to investigate whether Lee Jae-myung, then mayor and the licensing authority, was informed or approved the matter?"

When Prosecutor General Kim avoided a direct answer by saying, "(Regarding the investigation) I...," Lawmaker Jeon pressed again, "Isn’t this the most important part of breach of duty? To clarify whether reports, including verbal ones, were made to then-mayor Lee Jae-myung and whether approvals were given, it is basic to include the mayor’s office in the search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall, but it was excluded," she criticized.

She continued, "Did you, Prosecutor General, give the instruction for this?"

Prosecutor General Kim answered, "As I have said before, I instructed that thorough search and seizure be conducted anywhere without sanctuary."

When Lawmaker Jeon said, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office knew and approved the exclusion of Seongnam City Hall from the search and seizure targets. Therefore, it can only be seen as a lack of willingness to investigate," Prosecutor General Kim rebutted, "That is completely untrue."

Later, Lawmaker Jeon pointed out the delayed search and seizure of the mobile phone of former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, the transfer of the case involving Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung’s attorney fee payment to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, and the slow progress of the investigation into the 'trial deal' allegations. She asked Prosecutor General Kim, "You are well aware that this investigation is one that can demonstrate the prosecution’s trust and neutrality, right?"

Prosecutor General Kim replied, "I am well aware," and requested, "If you give me a chance to speak..."

When Lawmaker Jeon said, "Then naturally, you must conduct an investigation loyal to the people. You must not conduct an investigation loyal to power," Prosecutor General Kim answered, "We are conducting an investigation focused solely on the people."

However, Lawmaker Jeon said, "I already explained earlier that this is not the case," and emphasized, "To show the prosecution’s neutral investigative will, I believe you, Prosecutor General, can demonstrate that will to the public by voluntarily recusing yourself from the investigation."

Later, former lawyer Jeon displayed a PPT slide of Prosecutor General Kim’s legal case history, asking, "This was presented at this year’s confirmation hearing. You were involved in the Lime and Optimus cases, but you also had cases entrusted by Seongnam City. Was your role as legal advisor for Seongnam City influenced by connections from Daedong High School?"

Prosecutor General Kim replied, "That is absolutely not true. I said I was contacted by Seongnam City."

When Lawmaker Jeon said, "You may feel wronged," Prosecutor General Kim answered, "I feel very wronged."

Lawmaker Jeon again raised the issue of the exclusion of the mayor’s office during the search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall.

She pressed, "Regardless, the public cannot help but suspect that you are partially involved with Seongnam City."

She added, "Because bypassing the mayor’s office during the recent search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall is unimaginable. The mayor’s office is the approval and reporting line, yet it was not searched. The only reasonable inference is that the investigation is passive because you, a former legal advisor for Seongnam City, are in this position..."

Lawmaker Jeon said, "Regardless of your truthfulness, the appearance of trustworthiness is very important. Prosecutor General, I will ask again: Do you intend to recuse yourself?"

Prosecutor General Kim firmly said, "It has been reviewed and determined that this does not fall under a matter for recusal."

Then Lawmaker Jeon pointed out, "Then the prosecution’s future investigations will inevitably be suspected as 'show investigations,' and ultimately, it will have to go to a special prosecutor."

After the questioning time ended, Prosecutor General Kim, given the opportunity to speak, first apologized, saying, "When asked if I felt wronged, I said ‘I feel very wronged,’ which was arrogant. I apologize."

He continued, "In fact, preparations started on the 23rd, but due to the holiday, the investigation team was formed on September 28. After the Chuseok holiday, I continuously directed the team to directly investigate the related complaints."

Prosecutor General Kim emphasized, "When instructing the formation of the special investigation team, I ordered thorough search and seizure everywhere, including Seongnam City Hall, without sanctuary, and instructed that no one be spared in the investigation."

He said, "It has been 20 days since the investigation team was formed on the 28th. The team has worked diligently, day and night."

He added, "They only had one day off last Saturday. So the investigation team’s willingness is clear, and they are doing their best. They will work even harder going forward. So please watch over us a little longer."

Prosecutor General Kim reiterated, "My role as legal advisor for Seongnam City was done on a voluntary basis and has no connection whatsoever to this case."