Min Special Prosecutor Requests Five Prosecutors from Ministry of Justice
Also Sends Official Letter to Korean Bar Association for Special Investigator Recruitment Announcement
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, investigating allegations related to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keonhee, continued its visits to government agencies for a second consecutive day on June 19 to request cooperation.
On the morning of the same day, Special Prosecutor Min Jungki and his deputies Kim Hyungkeun, Park Sangjin, Moon Hongjoo, and Oh Junghui visited the Gwacheon Government Complex and held a meeting lasting about 20 minutes with Kim Seokwoo, the acting Minister of Justice. They subsequently met with Oh Dongwoon, head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and Kim Junyoung, Commissioner of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency (Chief Superintendent General), in succession.
Special Prosecutor Min stated, "We visited the Ministry of Justice to discuss the scope of prosecutors and investigators to be seconded and formally requested cooperation," adding, "We discussed matters related to operational support that are to be handled through the Ministry of Justice."
He further explained, "With the Corruption Investigation Office, we discussed cases that have been transferred to us," and added, "Since we are to receive at least one official on secondment from the office, we discussed the personnel involved and requested their cooperation." The Corruption Investigation Office has been handling multiple complaints, including the case involving Kim Keonhee's acceptance of luxury handbags.
Regarding the visit to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, Min stated, "We inquired about which cases need to be transferred," and added, "We discussed which of the investigators who handled these cases would be the most efficient to second in order to proceed quickly." The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency is currently investigating allegations of preferential treatment related to changes in the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route and development permits for the Gongheung District in Yangpyeong, connected to real estate owned by Kim Keonhee's family.
Regarding the period for receiving case records from the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office, Min said, "We visited most of the relevant agencies and discussed this matter. I was informed that they are currently organizing the records to be transferred," adding, "The timeline will be determined through discussions and coordination between the special prosecutor team and the respective investigative agencies."
On this day, Special Prosecutor Min formally requested the secondment of five chief prosecutors with experience in financial and election investigations to the Ministry of Justice. The requested individuals are Chae Heeman, head of the Anti-Corruption Division 2 at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office; Han Moonhyuk, head of Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office; Song Bongjun, head of the Election Investigation Support Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office; In Hoon, head of Criminal Division 5 at the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office; and Jeong Seonje, head of Criminal Division 3 at the Busan Western District Prosecutors' Office.
Regarding this, Min stated, "Primarily, we considered investigative capabilities," adding, "Since they are leading various investigative teams and there are areas requiring collaboration, we also took into account communication, harmony, and leadership." Once the secondments are confirmed, a team to investigate 16 separate allegations will likely be formed around these individuals.
Special Prosecutor Min also revealed that he sent an official letter to the Korean Bar Association requesting the posting of a job announcement for special investigators. When asked about the investigation's priorities, Min replied, "It is a bit early to say. I will comment after identifying the issues and key points of each case."
On June 18, the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor team also made high-profile visits to the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, and the Financial Supervisory Service, all of which have handled cases involving allegations against Kim Keonhee. These agencies have investigated matters such as the alleged stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, allegations concerning 'political broker' Myung Taegyun, suspicions over high-value necklaces and luxury handbags related to Jeon Seongbae (known as 'Geonjin Bopsa'), and the Sambu Construction stock manipulation case.
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