Kim Hyungkeun, Moon Hongjoo, Park Sangjin, and Oh Junghui Appointed as Assistant Special Prosecutors
Three Former Prosecutors with Special Investigation Expertise, One Former Judge
Full-Scale Investigation Expected to Begin Early Next Month After Team Formation
Lawyers Kim Hyungkeun, Moon Hongjoo, Park Sangjin, and Oh Junghui have been appointed as assistant special prosecutors on the special prosecutor's team investigating allegations against Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol. This comes just two days after eight candidates were recommended on June 15.
On June 18, Special Prosecutor Min Jungki announced to the media, "On June 17, we received notification from the presidential office regarding the appointment of four assistant special prosecutors."
The four appointed assistant special prosecutors are: Moon Hongjoo (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 31st class), a former presiding judge; and Kim Hyungkeun (29th class), Park Sangjin (29th class), and Oh Junghui (30th class), all former prosecutors. Kim Hyungkeun, Park Sangjin, and Oh Junghui are former prosecutors, while Moon Hongjoo is a former judge.
Moon Hongjoo graduated from Gwangju Inseong High School and Seoul National University with a degree in International Economics. After completing the Judicial Research and Training Institute, he worked as a lawyer before being appointed as a judge at the Changwon District Court in 2008. Over the next 15 years, he served at the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court, Seoul Central District Court, Daejeon District Court, and Suwon Family Court.
Kim Hyungkeun graduated from Seondeok High School and Korea University School of Law. After completing the training institute, he began his career as a lawyer in 2000, then was appointed as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office in 2002. He is considered a specialist in special investigations, having served as head of the Special Investigation Division at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office and Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, head of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, and chief prosecutor at the Bucheon Branch.
Park Sangjin graduated from Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University School of Law. He was appointed as a prosecutor at the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office and went on to serve as head of the Special Investigation Division at Changwon, head of the Violent Crimes Division at Incheon, research officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, deputy chief prosecutor at the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, and chief prosecutor at the Goyang Branch, spending about 20 years in the prosecution service.
Oh Junghui graduated from Suncheon Girls' High School and Korea University School of Law. She was appointed as a prosecutor at the Bucheon Branch and has extensive experience investigating cases related to women, having served as head of the Women and Children Division at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, head of the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, head of Criminal Division 13 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and chief prosecutor at the Tongyeong Branch.
Special Prosecutor Min previously stated that, in recommending assistant special prosecutors, he considered their investigative abilities to complete the investigation within a short period, as well as their communication and teamwork skills.
The assistant special prosecutors will be responsible for investigating cases related to the special probe, maintaining prosecutions in cases that are indicted, and supervising and directing special investigators and government officials seconded from relevant agencies. They will receive treatment equivalent to that of chief prosecutors.
The special prosecutor's office for the Kim Keonhee investigation is expected to be established near Gwanghwamun in Seoul. During the remaining preparation period, lists of 40 seconded prosecutors, 80 seconded government officials, and 80 special investigators will be finalized, with a full-scale investigation expected to begin early next month. The cases to be investigated by the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor include the alleged Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation, the luxury bag bribery allegations, and allegations of state affairs and personnel intervention by Myung Taegyun and Geonjin Bopsa, among others. The investigation period is up to 170 days, including the preparation period.
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