"'Accusation Instigation Suspicion' Son Junsung Appears for Warrant Hearing: 'Will Explain Why Warrant Request Is Unjust'"

Son Junsung, the key figure in the 'whistleblowing solicitation' suspicion at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office during former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's tenure, is attending the warrant hearing held on the 26th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Son Junsung, former Policy Officer of the Investigation Information Policy Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (currently Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office), a key figure in the 'accusation inducement' suspicion, appeared at the court on the 26th for a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) and said, "I will explain in detail to the judge the unfairness of the warrant request."

Son, the former policy officer, appeared at the warrant substantive examination held at 10:30 a.m. at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Sechang, who is in charge of warrants, and made the statement when asked whether he admits to the charges related to involvement in the accusation inducement suspicion.

Son did not answer questions such as why he sent the {$_accusation letter to Kim Woong, then a candidate for the Future United Party in the general election (currently a member of the People Power Party), whether he gave related instructions to junior prosecutors, or whose orders he received, and entered the court.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) filed a pre-arrest warrant request against Son at the Seoul Central District Court over the past weekend. A CIO official explained the reason for the request the day before, saying, "We repeatedly requested him to appear and cooperate with the investigation, but he showed an uncooperative attitude by continuously delaying his appearance for reasons difficult to accept." This is the first time since the CIO was launched in January this year that it has sought to secure the suspect's custody during an investigation.

On the other hand, Son's side is pointing out the illegality of the summons process and forced investigation procedures, so a fierce battle is expected during the hearing. The day before, his lawyer stated, "(The CIO prosecutor) sent a de facto threatening message mentioning forced investigation and political considerations such as the presidential primary schedule," and added, "This infringes on the suspect's constitutional and criminal procedure law rights to defense, who clearly expressed his intention to appear."

Son is suspected of instructing prosecutors and investigators to draft accusation letters and collect supporting materials against ruling party figures while working as the Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in April last year, and delivering the accusation letters to Kim, the former Future United Party candidate. The CIO applied charges against Son including abuse of authority, obstruction of exercise of rights, official secrets leakage, election interference, violation of the Public Official Election Act, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.