The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Dismisses Charges Due to Insufficient Evidence Against Prosecutor Who Missed Statute of Limitations

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) has decided not to prosecute a prosecutor who dismissed a small-scale fraud case as 'no prosecution' after the statute of limitations had expired.

On the 26th, HOCI stated, "After thoroughly investigating the circumstances and situation at the time when the statute of limitations for the case handled by the suspect had expired, based on interviews with related parties, it is difficult to conclude that the suspect intentionally neglected or abandoned their duties. There is also no evidence to support the allegations, so the case was closed without charges."

Previously, Prosecutor A was accused of dismissing a small-scale fraud case as 'no prosecution' after the statute of limitations had expired. The police had forwarded the case with a recommendation for indictment in December 2020.

The complainant, a victim of the fraud case, stated that "Prosecutor A knowingly took my statement despite the statute of limitations having passed and deliberately delayed the handling of the case." On the other hand, Prosecutor A reportedly explained that it was a 'simple mistake.'

The complainant is reportedly planning to file a re-investigation request against HOCI's decision not to prosecute. A re-investigation request is a system that allows the court to review the prosecution's decision not to prosecute.