Odongun, Head of the Corruption Investigation Office, "Investigation of Chaesangbyeong's Line-of-Duty Death Case According to Law and Principles"..."Respect for National Assembly's Legislative Authority"

Ruling Party and Opposition Members Clash Over Special Prosecutor-Related Responses

Odongun, the nominee for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO), stated on the 17th regarding the death case of Chae Sang-byeong, which is under investigation by the HCIO, "If I become the head of the HCIO, I will investigate the death of the Marine who died in the line of duty without any sanctuary, according to law and principles."

On the same day, during the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in the morning, nominee Oh said, "I will handle the case without the slightest deviation."

Odongun, the nominee for the Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit, is speaking at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 17th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party who was the first to question, told nominee Oh, "I asked in a written inquiry why you quit being a judge, and you said, 'I quit because I felt a heavy responsibility and considerable pressure as the final decision-maker on important cases, which made it difficult to perform my duties.'" Nominee Oh replied, "Yes, that's correct."

Park then asked, "Isn't the position of HCIO head exactly such a position?" and "Wouldn't there be considerable pressure and responsibility?" When nominee Oh answered, "I think so," Park asked again, "But can you do well as the HCIO head? You said being a judge was difficult." Nominee Oh responded, "I have the will to operate it well."

Park said, "The HCIO is an investigative agency that must investigate all criminal allegations regardless of status," and asked, "Even the president cannot be criminally prosecuted during their term, but can still be subject to investigation, right?"

Nominee Oh replied, "I understand there are some exceptions different from ordinary citizens."

Park then said, "You said you couldn't be a judge due to pressure, but can you properly perform as the HCIO head?" and added, "I was just asking something very obvious." Nominee Oh answered, "I fully agree with your opinion."

Park asked nominee Oh, "Have you seen the recent prosecution personnel changes?" and said, "In my view, the president made personnel changes in the prosecution to completely neutralize investigations targeting Kim Geon-hee." He continued, "Now, the people can only trust the HCIO or a special prosecutor. Whether the HCIO can conduct proper investigations is very important, so I asked. But if you start stammering and trying to deviate from principles and laws, you shouldn't do that." Nominee Oh again replied, "I fully agree with your opinion."

Park said, "No, please tell me your own thoughts," and asked again, "Even if the president is not subject to criminal prosecution, if serious corruption or illegal acts occur, is it correct that they can be subject to investigation?" Nominee Oh answered, "They are subject to investigation."

Park repeatedly confirmed whether President Yoon Seok-yeol can be summoned for questioning.

Park said, "Regarding the Chae Sang-byeong case, circumstances of interference and undue pressure from the presidential office are increasingly revealed, and suspicion is growing that the president is at the top of it," and asked, "The HCIO head can summon and investigate the president if necessary. Is this correct?"

Nominee Oh replied, "Regarding the Marine who died in the line of duty, I have the will to investigate that part without sanctuary according to law and principles. If I become the HCIO head, I will do so."

Park then said, "Then I will ask again, again," and asked, "Regarding the investigation interference in the Chae Sang-byeong case, can President Yoon Seok-yeol be summoned for questioning by the HCIO if necessary? You have confirmed this, right?"

Nominee Oh said, "I cannot answer specifically about ongoing cases, but in general, I agree with your opinion."

Meanwhile, when asked by Kwon Chil-seung, a Democratic Party member, about his stance on introducing a special prosecutor law for the Chae Sang-byeong case, nominee Oh said, "Basically, the legislative power of the National Assembly must be respected," and added, "The HCIO must conduct investigations according to law and principles, whether based on the legislature's decision or independently."

Nominee Oh's remarks provoked strong opposition from members of the People Power Party.

Jang Dong-hyuk said, "The HCIO head nominee has expressed willingness to summon and search the president if necessary and to conduct swift investigations, so why is a special prosecutor needed?" and asked, "Saying a special prosecutor is needed implies that the HCIO lacks the ability or will to properly investigate this case. What is the reason for needing a special prosecutor?"

Nominee Oh, based on general principles, said, "The investigative and prosecutorial powers granted to the HCIO do not match, limiting its scope and structurally hindering investigations," and added, "My belief is that in the long term, the HCIO's investigative and prosecutorial powers should be aligned so that even if it's not the Marine case, if there is a demand for a special prosecutor, the HCIO can be entrusted with the investigation as soon as possible."

Kim Do-eup, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party, told nominee Oh, "On September 5 last year, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the HCIO regarding those involved in the Chae Sang-byeong case, and two days later, the special prosecutor law was proposed," and said, "You should know this and respond accordingly. If you say you will thoroughly investigate the complaint, that should be enough. Why say you respect the National Assembly's legislative power? Just investigate the complaint thoroughly."