Sim Woo-jung, Prosecutor General Nominee, "No Personal Acquaintance with Mrs. Kim's Brother"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate for Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung stated that she has "no personal acquaintance at all" with Kim Mo, the older brother of First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

In a written response submitted to the National Assembly on the 1st, two days before the confirmation hearing, Candidate Shim explained her relationship with Kim, a fellow alumnus of Whimoon High School, in this manner. Regarding the view that Kim had an influence on her nomination, she also stated, "This is completely untrue."

She emphasized that she has never visited Kim's house, never met First Lady Kim or her mother there, and currently does not maintain contact. She also stated that she never received congratulatory flowers from Kim upon her promotion to Prosecutor General candidate, nor did Kim attend her wedding or her child's first birthday party.

When asked whether she had spoken on the phone with President Yoon or First Lady Kim in the past five years, Candidate Shim replied, "Aside from work-related contact with the President during my tenure as Prosecutor General, there has been no personal communication," and added, "I have not had any contact with the First Lady."

Regarding the prosecution investigation into the First Lady's alleged receipt of luxury handbags, which sparked controversy over preferential treatment, she refrained from detailed comments, saying, "I do not know the circumstances leading to the investigation or the situation at the time, so it is difficult to respond," but gave a general explanation that "the timing and location of the investigation are decided by the investigation team after comprehensively considering various circumstances and regulations."

On the so-called 'bypassing of the Prosecutor General' controversy, she responded, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is currently verifying the circumstances, so we should wait for the results."

Regarding whether there is a need to restore the Prosecutor General's authority to direct the investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations involving the First Lady, she said, "Since the case is currently under investigation, it is difficult to provide a specific answer," and added, "I will gather the wisdom and capabilities of the prosecution members and consider it carefully."

She also avoided giving specific answers about the Marine Corps Corporal Chae Mo's death case, citing that the investigation is ongoing.

On the lifting of the travel ban on former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop during the investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, she stated, "I understand that the review committee made the decision after comprehensively considering the circumstances and opinions of the person involved, the necessity of travel, the progress and cooperation in the investigation, and the position of the investigative agency."

Furthermore, regarding calls for the introduction of a special prosecutor for the First Lady's case and the Corporal Chae case, she said, "A special prosecutor should be introduced supplementarily and exceptionally only when the existing investigative agencies' investigations are insufficient or when the fairness and objectivity of the investigation are in doubt."

Regarding her opposition to the disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol during her tenure as Director of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Justice, she explained, "I judged that it violated the principle of due process and refused to approve the related documents."

On the investigation into allegations that President Yoon's reputation was damaged by false reports during the last presidential election, she stated, "I understand that the prosecution conducted the investigation according to law and principles." Regarding the prosecution's collection of communication user information of many politicians and journalists during this process, she replied, "I understand that it was accessed and notified within the scope necessary for the investigation according to the procedures prescribed by law."

When asked if she plans to enter politics after serving as Prosecutor General like President Yoon, she answered, "If I assume the office of Prosecutor General, I will consider it my last public office and do my best to fulfill my duties."