The special investigation headquarters of the prosecution, responsible for investigating the emergency martial law case involving President Yoon Seok-yeol, will be staffed with 20 prosecutors, about 30 prosecution investigators, and military prosecutors.
On the 6th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the composition of the special investigation headquarters and stated that it will be established at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. This measure is interpreted as an effort to enhance the expertise of the investigation, considering the large deployment of military forces during the emergency martial law and the fact that many of the individuals involved are high-ranking active military officers.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that it will form the special investigation headquarters led by Park Se-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office. Kim Jong-woo, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, was assigned as the deputy chief prosecutor. Under them, Lee Chan-gyu, Head of the Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Choi Soon-ho, Head of the Criminal Division 3, will each lead one team.
The prosecution previously formed a special investigation headquarters during the 2016 Park Geun-hye administration to investigate the state affairs manipulation case involving Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil). The Supreme Prosecutors' Office deployed about 30 prosecutors at the request of the special investigation headquarters. It was regarded as the largest scale investigation headquarters ever assembled for a single case, comparable to the former Central Investigation Department (Jungsubu) of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
The prosecution's formation of a special investigation headquarters, as during the state affairs manipulation scandal, is interpreted as a recognition of the seriousness of the emergency martial law situation and a demonstration of their determination to concentrate investigative efforts. Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung also stated on his way home the previous day that the prosecution will conduct direct investigations, saying, "We will proceed with the investigation in accordance with relevant laws, procedures, laws, and principles," and added, "We are considering various methods to ensure that the investigation is conducted appropriately."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
