Outline of Special Prosecutor Assistants Expected as Early as This Week
Rebellion Special Prosecutor to Use Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office as Temporary Office
First Lady Special Prosecutor Near Gwanghwamun... Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor in Seocho-dong
The three special prosecutors appointed to investigate the rebellion, Kim Keonhee, and Chae Haebyeong allegations have completed the selection of special prosecutor assistant candidates and have also designated their offices, accelerating preparations just five days after their appointment on June 17.
Cho Eunseok, the special prosecutor for the rebellion case, announced on this day that he had submitted an appointment request for eight special prosecutor assistant candidates to the Ministry of Personnel Management. It is reported that Cho reviewed several candidates recommended by the Korean Bar Association, including Park Eoksu (29th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), Kim Hyungsu (30th class), and lawyer Yoon Taeyoon (2nd bar exam), before selecting the final candidates.
On June 16, Cho requested the dispatch of nine deputy chief prosecutors and chief prosecutors (high prosecutor level) to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. It is reported that the dispatched prosecutors, including Kim Jongwoo (33rd class), the second deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, who led practical operations at the Special Investigation Headquarters for the Martial Law case, immediately began familiarizing themselves with the special prosecution work starting this day.
Min Junggi, the special prosecutor investigating the case involving the First Lady, had previously selected eight candidates for special prosecutor assistant and submitted them to the presidential office on June 15. Speaking with reporters on this day, Min stated, “I expect the appointments to be made soon,” and explained that decisions regarding how to question the hospitalized First Lady and which allegations to prioritize will be made through meetings once the special prosecutor assistants are appointed.
On this day, Min appointed Hong Jihang, head of the general affairs division at the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office (prosecutor deputy director), as the head of the special prosecutor support team, responsible for administrative affairs and practical support within the special prosecutor team. Regarding the need for an in-person investigation of the First Lady, Min replied, “I believe it will take place.”
Lee Myeonghyeon, the special prosecutor for the Chae Haebyeong case, also plans to submit the appointment request for special prosecutor assistants during the day. Meeting with reporters in the morning, Lee said, “We must submit (the appointment request) to the presidential office by today,” and added, “We are continuing the verification process.”
Lee stated that he plans to prioritize candidates with a background as military judicial officers, and added, “Requests for personnel dispatch from the prosecution and other agencies will be discussed after the special prosecutor assistants are selected.” It is reported that Lee has reviewed candidates including lawyers Ryu Gwansuk and Lee Sangyun, both of whom have experience handling military cases.
The special prosecutor assistants assist the special prosecutors and are responsible for leading and supervising the investigation teams. President Lee Jaemyung is expected to appoint the special prosecutor assistants from among the candidates submitted by the three special prosecutors as early as this week.
The three special prosecutors are also accelerating efforts to secure office space. Cho stated that after requesting office space from the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, discussions are ongoing to address necessary matters. Due to the nature of the rebellion case, which may require handling military secrets, government office buildings were prioritized over private buildings for security reasons. Until the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office is ready, it is reported that the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office will be used as a temporary office.
Min is expected to set up the special prosecutor’s office near Gwanghwamun in Seoul. Lee stated that he is continuing to look for office space in the Seocho-dong area. For now, before securing official special prosecutor offices, each of them is preparing for the investigation from their respective law offices in Seocho-dong.
Once the special prosecutor assistants are appointed, each of the three special prosecutors is expected to form investigation teams of around 100 to 200 members and begin identifying the key issues of each case and structuring their investigations in earnest.
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