'Spy Fabrication Victim' Yoo Woosung: "Idubong, the Criminal Who Retaliated with Prosecution, Should Not Hold Public Office"

Victim Yoo Woosung of the 'Seoul City Government Employee Spy Fabrication Case' is heading to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (Gongsoocheo) at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the afternoon of the 17th for a complainant investigation against the prosecution that retaliated by indicting him.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) summoned Yoo Woosung, the victim of the 'Seoul City Official Spy Fabrication Case,' as a complainant for questioning.

On the afternoon of the 17th, the HCIA's Investigation Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Choi Seokgyu) summoned Yoo to investigate the background of his complaint against former Prosecutor General Kim Sunam and Incheon District Prosecutor Lee Dubong.

Earlier, Yoo had filed a complaint with the HCIA in November last year against four members of the command line, including former Prosecutor General Kim, alleging that the prosecution retaliated against him with a 'vindictive prosecution' after the spy fabrication case damaged the prosecution.

The prosecution indicted Yoo in 2013 on charges of violating the National Security Act (espionage), but it was revealed that the National Intelligence Service had fabricated evidence, and some related parties were punished. Lee Siwon, the prosecutor in charge and currently the Secretary for Public Office Discipline at the Presidential Office, avoided criminal punishment but received a one-month suspension as disciplinary action.

As the revelation of evidence fabrication shook the maintenance of the prosecution in Yoo's case, the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office re-indicted Yoo in May 2014 on charges of illegal remittance to North Korea. At that time, the head of Criminal Division 2 was the current Incheon District Prosecutor Lee Dubong.

However, in October last year, the Supreme Court ruled that "the prosecutor arbitrarily exercised the right to prosecute, exceeding the discretion of prosecution," and judged the prosecution's indictment to be illegal. It was the first ruling recognizing the prosecution's abuse of the right to prosecute.

On this day, Yoo emphasized upon appearing at the HCIA, "I will testify about how the prosecutors committed illegal acts at that time." He also said, "I hope the HCIA will uncover the truth through a substantive investigation."

Regarding the fact that Secretary Lee holds an important position, Yoo said, "As a victim, it is hard to accept that the person who should be punished was appointed as the Secretary for Public Office Discipline," and added, "It is right for him to apologize and resign even now." He also mentioned, "I am considering filing a complaint with the police on charges of false accusation and fabrication."

Regarding Prosecutor Lee being mentioned as a candidate for Prosecutor General, Yoo stressed, "It is unacceptable to appoint a criminal to a public office."