"Myunghyun Lee: 'Unjust Prosecution in Colonel Park Junghoon's Case...
Substantive Truth Distorted by the Anger Theory'"
Myunghyun Lee, the special prosecutor tasked with investigating the case involving Private Chae, stated regarding the selection of assistant special prosecutors, "I want people who are passionate about uncovering the substantive truth."
Special Prosecutor Myunghyun Lee, investigating allegations of obstruction in the investigation of a fallen Marine, is answering questions from the press at his office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 16th, during a meeting with reporters at his law office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Lee said, "My primary focus right now is on selecting the assistant special prosecutors." He added, "Some appointments have been made and the process is ongoing," and further commented, "I believe it is appropriate to ensure a balanced mix of backgrounds, including those with experience as judges and prosecutors."
When asked whether he would request the Korean Bar Association to recommend assistant special prosecutors, Lee referred to the special prosecutor law, which stipulates that the president appoints four assistant special prosecutors from among eight candidates. He said, "Given the number of candidates, it is not necessary to ask the Bar Association. The pool of candidates is already secured."
When asked if the main focus of the investigation would be on the so-called 'VIP anger theory,' Lee responded, "The investigation will not focus solely on the anger theory; I intend to look at the case as a whole." He continued, "The case involving Colonel Park Junghoon (former head of the Marine Corps investigation team) is one in which the substantive truth was distorted and he was unjustly prosecuted due to the 'anger theory.'"
The 'VIP anger theory' refers to allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol became angry after receiving the initial investigation results from the Marine Corps investigation team regarding the death of the late Private Chae Sugun, saying, "If a division commander is punished for something like this, who would want to be a division commander?" Following this, it is alleged that former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop abruptly ordered a press briefing and instructed that the case not be referred to the police.
Colonel Park was prosecuted for insubordination after insisting on referring the case to the police, but was acquitted in the first trial. However, the military prosecution has appealed, and the case is now in the second trial.
In response to a question about whether it would be possible to withdraw the appeal in Colonel Park's insubordination case, Lee stated, "A legal review is necessary." The scope of the special prosecutor's duties includes the authority to decide whether to withdraw indictments in related cases that are already in trial.
Asked whether he plans to offer the position of assistant special prosecutor again to attorney Kim Jungmin, who has defended Colonel Park, Lee replied, "I will consider it."
When asked whether locations such as Pangyo in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, are being considered for the special prosecutor's office, Lee answered, "Pangyo is too far for executing warrants and other duties, so we are trying to secure a location near Seocho-dong as much as possible."
Meanwhile, Lee is considered an expert in military investigations, having served for 25 years as a military legal officer, including as chief prosecutor at the Joint Investigation Headquarters for Military Service Corruption and as chief of the High Prosecutors' Office at the Ministry of National Defense. In 2002, he investigated allegations of military service corruption involving the son of former Grand National Party leader Lee Hoi-chang.
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