Kwon Sungdong Criticizes CIO's "Fake Warrant, Counterfeit Money" After Failed Attempt to Arrest President Yoon

Criticism Also Directed at the Democratic Party
for Pushing the Establishment of the CIO
and Forcing Through Prosecution Reform

Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on January 7 for failing to execute the arrest and search warrant for President Yoon Sukyeol, stating, "It makes no sense to execute a fake warrant. How is this any different from trying to buy goods with counterfeit money?" He urged that the investigation be handed over to the police.

At the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kwon said, "The CIO does not have investigative authority over charges of insurrection. Any warrant issued by an agency without investigative authority is invalid in itself." He added, "The People Power Party has previously argued that it is illegal for the CIO, which lacks authority to investigate insurrection, to obtain and execute an arrest and search warrant for President Yoon. Today, the criticism has been further intensified."

This statement not only underscores the alleged illegitimacy of the CIO's investigation into President Yoon, but is also seen as an attempt to rally conservative support and sway public opinion by criticizing the Democratic Party, which led the establishment of the CIO and the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police. Kwon said, "The CIO does not have the authority to direct the police in executing warrants. This is because the Moon Jaein administration's adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police abolished prosecutors' specific authority to direct warrants." He continued, "In the end, if you abbreviate an investigation without authority and direction without authority, it simply means 'illegal.'"

Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Kwon also criticized the investigative capabilities of the CIO that day. He said, "There is a saying that investigative agencies speak through their investigations. Judging by this, the CIO's performance is disastrous." He pointed out, "Since its launch, the CIO has received a budget of over 80 billion won, but out of more than 6,000 cases received, only five have been prosecuted. Is investigation a duty or a hobby for the CIO?" He went on to say, "The CIO, which lacks investigative authority, investigative capability, and the authority to direct investigations, must immediately abandon its investigation of the president and transfer all related cases to the police. That is the only way to reduce judicial confusion."

He also criticized the Democratic Party for its plan to file a complaint against Choi Sangmok, acting president and deputy prime minister, for not cooperating with the CIO's attempt to execute the arrest warrant for President Yoon, asking, "How exactly do you intend to hold him accountable? Are you once again toying with the impeachment card?" He argued, "You are setting the stage for an impeachment hostage situation." He added, "You have already attempted impeachment 29 times, and now it seems you are determined to add several more. Now you are even hinting at impeaching the acting president, who also serves as the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, thereby threatening economic destruction."

He also directed criticism at Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung, saying, "Lee Jaemyung is facing five trials on eight cases and twelve charges. He is the very person who destroyed the judicial system by impeaching the prosecutor who investigated him." Kwon continued, "Lee mocked President Yoon, saying he was destroying community order and would end up a prisoner in his attempt to become king. If we return the words as they are, it is Lee who, as a person who has walked the path of a prisoner, is now trying to become king by destroying community order."

On the morning of the 3rd, in order to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon Sukyeol, officials from the Corruption Investigation Office entered the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Police are standing guard in layers in front of the main gate of the residence, and vehicles from the Corruption Investigation Office are parked ahead. Photo by Heo Younghan