Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Presidential Archives Related to 'Fishermen Repatriation' Case

Sejong City Presidential Archives [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the 'Forced Repatriation of North Korean Fishermen Suspicion' case, the prosecution is conducting a search and seizure at the Presidential Archives on the 19th.

According to the legal community, the Public Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Junbeom) sent about 10 people, including prosecutors and investigators, to the Presidential Archives in Sejong City this afternoon to secure related materials.

Since all presidential records from former President Moon Jae-in's tenure were transferred to the Presidential Archives on May 9, the prosecution is conducting the search and seizure by selectively reviewing documents containing the government's decision-making process at that time. In principle, presidential records are restricted from being viewed for up to 15 years (up to 30 years for materials related to personal privacy).

Earlier, the Public Investigation Division 3 has been investigating suspicions that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) prematurely ended a joint investigation of two North Korean fishermen suspected of killing 16 fellow crew members in November 2019 and forcibly sent them back to North Korea. Naval officers involved in the capture process and officials from the Ministry of Unification who prepared explanatory materials were questioned by the prosecution.

In response, the NIS filed a complaint on July 6 against former NIS Director Seo Hoon and others for violating the National Intelligence Service Act (abuse of authority). Former Blue House National Security Office Chief Chung Eui-yong and former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul, who were accused by civic groups of abuse of authority, obstruction of exercise of rights, dereliction of duty, and aiding a criminal, are also under investigation.

This is the ninth search and seizure conducted at the Presidential Archives in history. The search and seizure of Moon Jae-in administration records is the second, following the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office investigation into the alleged economic manipulation of the Wolseong Unit 1 nuclear power plant earlier that morning.

Meanwhile, the Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Heedong), which is investigating allegations of deletion and manipulation of records related to the 'West Sea Public Official Shooting Incident,' did not participate in today's search and seizure. Therefore, there remains a possibility of additional search and seizure related to this matter.

Former NIS Director Park Ji-won is suspected of unauthorized deletion of intelligence-related reports concerning the situation when Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official Lee Daejun was killed by North Korean forces on September 22, 2000.