[2021 National Audit] Seoul Police Chief "Thorough Investigation of Alleged Report Solicitation... No Deep Consideration of Special Prosecutor Introduction"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated that he will "conduct a thorough investigation" regarding the 'accusation solicitation' allegations.

On the 19th, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's Seoul Police Agency audit, Commissioner Choi said this and, when asked about the introduction of a special prosecutor system, responded, "I have not given it much thought," adding, "We are diligently conducting the investigation entrusted to the police."

The accusation solicitation allegation refers to the suspicion that the prosecution, ahead of last year's April general election, solicited the main opposition party at the time, the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), to file accusations against ruling party figures. Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, currently a leading opposition presidential candidate, is also involved in the case. The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC) and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit are currently investigating the related case.

The police are investigating the case in which whistleblower Jo Seong-eun filed a complaint against former Prosecutor General Yoon and others, as well as the case where the Judicial Examination Preparation Group (Sajunmo) filed a complaint against Lee Jin-dong, publisher of Newsbus, who first reported the accusation solicitation allegations.

Additionally, Ji, known as 'Whistleblower X,' filed a complaint accusing former Prosecutor General Yoon, Son Jun-sung, Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, of violating the Personal Information Protection Act and the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, among other charges including defamation.