Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok Requests Dispatch of Prosecutors to Supreme Prosecutors' Office
Nine Prosecutors Selected Based on Investigative Abilities and Work Attitude
Office Space and Facilities Also Requested from Seoul High Prosecutors' Office
On June 16, Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, who is leading the investigation into the 12·3 Martial Law-related insurrection case, requested the dispatch of prosecutors to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
In a statement sent to reporters that day, Special Prosecutor Cho said, "In accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 5 of the Special Prosecutor Act, I have requested the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to dispatch nine prosecutors at the high prosecutor level, who were selected primarily based on their 'investigative abilities' and 'attitude toward work'." He added, "Pursuant to Article 14, Paragraph 5 of the Special Prosecutor Act, considering investigative security such as military secrets and costs, I have also requested the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office to provide office space and other facilities necessary for carrying out duties."
Special Prosecutor Cho also requested the Korean Bar Association to recommend candidates for assistant special prosecutor the previous day. The association announced, "After selecting a pool of candidates and conducting personnel verification, we plan to recommend candidates for assistant special prosecutor by June 17." Assistant special prosecutors are responsible for investigating the case, maintaining prosecution, supervising special investigators and dispatched officials, and handling media relations under the direction and supervision of the special prosecutor, and they are treated at the level of chief prosecutor.
On the same day, Special Prosecutor Cho met with Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) chief Oh Dongwoon at the CIO building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to discuss matters related to the dispatch of personnel and the use of facilities such as the building. Immediately after the martial law situation, the CIO deployed all of its investigative personnel?including the chief, deputy chief, two senior prosecutors, nine junior prosecutors, and twenty-four investigators?to form a task force (TF) and launch an investigation. According to the Special Prosecutor Act on Insurrection, at least three personnel must be dispatched from the CIO.
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