"Three Major Special Prosecutors" Busy Selecting Assistant Special Prosecutors

Assistant Special Prosecutors to Be Finalized This Week
Full-Scale Investigation Set to Begin Early Next Month

On the fourth day since their appointment, the so-called "three major special prosecutors"?covering the insurrection case, Kim Keonhee, and the death of a Marine?are preparing for full-scale investigations scheduled to begin in early July by assembling their teams and securing office space. The selection of assistant special prosecutors, who will support the special prosecutors, is expected to take shape within this week.

According to the legal community on June 17, Min Jungki, the special prosecutor investigating allegations related to former President Yoon Sukyeol’s wife, Kim Keonhee, has recommended eight candidates for assistant special prosecutor to the presidential office. Of these, four will be appointed as assistant special prosecutors. The candidates recommended by Special Prosecutor Min include attorney Moon Hongju, a former presiding judge, as well as attorneys Kim Hyungkeun, Park Sangjin, and Oh Junghui, all of whom have backgrounds as prosecutors. President Lee Jaemyung will appoint four of the recommended assistant special prosecutors within five days.

On June 16, Cho Eunseok, the special prosecutor for the insurrection case, requested the dispatch of nine prosecutors at the deputy chief and chief prosecutor level from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. The list of requested personnel includes Kim Jongwoo, the second deputy chief of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, who is currently part of the special investigation team for the military emergency martial law case. Also included are Choi Sunho, head of Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and Choi Jaesoon, the second director of crime information at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, both of whom worked on the investigation with Deputy Chief Kim.

The list of prosecutors requested by Special Prosecutor Cho also includes Jang Junho, deputy chief of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office; Kim Jeongguk, head of Criminal Division 4 at the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office; Guk Won, head of the Anti-Corruption Division at the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office; Park Hyangcheol, head of the Food and Drug Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office; Cho Jaechul, head of Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office; and Park Jihun, head of Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office. These mid-level prosecutors are expected to divide the insurrection case into separate parts and conduct investigations accordingly, each leading a dedicated team. Special Prosecutor Cho has also requested the Korean Bar Association to recommend candidates for assistant special prosecutor.

The office for the insurrection case special prosecutor, which may need to handle military secrets and related matters, is likely to be located at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Special Prosecutor Cho previously served as the chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, and is prioritizing a government office building due to security concerns associated with private buildings. Meanwhile, Lee Myeonghyeon, the special prosecutor for the Marine death case, is reportedly seeking assistant special prosecutor candidates primarily among legal professionals with experience investigating suspicious deaths in the military.