[Exclusive] Two Chief Prosecutors Assigned to Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor's "Geonjin Team"... Three Virtual Asset Joint Investigation Unit Prosecutors Join

Two Chief Prosecutors, Chae Heeman and Nam Cheolwoo, Assigned
Key Financial and Securities Crime Investigators Concentrated on the Team

Yonhap News

It has been confirmed that two current chief prosecutors from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and local prosecutors' offices will be assigned to the dedicated investigation team, known as the "Geonjin Team," which will handle the case involving allegations against Jeon Mo, also known as "Geonjin Bopsa," under the special prosecutor investigating Kim Keonhee. Three prosecutors who previously handled related cases in the Joint Virtual Asset Crime Investigation Unit (Joint Investigation Unit) will also join the team.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on June 30, Chae Heeman, Director of Investigation Support at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Anti-Corruption Department (Chief Prosecutor, 35th Judicial Research and Training Institute class), and Nam Cheolwoo, Chief Prosecutor at the Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office (37th class), have each been assigned to the "Geonjin Bopsa-related Investigation Team."

Among the prosecutors at the working level, three prosecutors who previously investigated the "Geonjin case" at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office's Joint Virtual Asset Crime Investigation Unit and one prosecutor from the Financial and Securities Crime Joint Investigation Department have joined the team. These individuals belong to the Joint Investigation Unit's trial division and the Financial Investigation Division 1, and were responsible for analyzing accounts and communication records related to Geonjin from the early stages of the investigation. It is reported that four prosecutors are assigned under each of Chief Prosecutors Chae and Nam, making a total of ten prosecutors, including both chief and junior prosecutors. A spokesperson for the special prosecutor stated, "We have formed an elite team centered on individuals with prior investigative experience."

The "Geonjin Bopsa" allegations concern suspicions that shaman Jeon Seongbae was deeply involved in Yoon Sukyeol's presidential campaign in 2022, influencing personnel appointments and decision-making, with possible connections to Kim Keonhee and the flow of funds. This is also a core allegation in the special prosecutor's investigation into Kim Keonhee. In addition to the Geonjin Bopsa case, the special prosecutor's office is dividing various cases involving Kim Keonhee?including the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, Myung Taegyun nomination intervention, Sambu Construction stock manipulation, and lobbying allegations for the rescue of former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seonggeun?among two to three teams under four assistant special prosecutors.

The special prosecutor's office will hold a plaque-hanging ceremony at its Gwanghwamun office in Seoul on July 2 and officially begin its investigation. Under the special prosecutor act, the investigation period is 60 days, but it can be extended by 30 days with presidential approval, allowing for a maximum investigation period of 90 days. Since the special prosecutor has used the full 20-day preparation period before commencing the investigation, attention is focused on the pace of the upcoming investigation. Kim Keonhee was discharged from Seoul Asan Medical Center on June 27, and while her health will be taken into consideration, it is highly likely that she will be questioned in person depending on the scheduling of future proceedings.