Special Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure of Offices of Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolgyu
On July 18, members of the People Power Party (PPP) affiliated with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee criticized the so-called "three major special prosecutors" (special investigations into insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and the death of Private Chae) for conducting searches and seizures of the National Assembly offices of lawmakers Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolgyu. They denounced the actions as "indiscriminate oppression of the opposition party and a political maneuver to undermine confirmation hearings."
Jang Donghyuk, the PPP's secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and other members held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center on the same day. "The special prosecutors, whose core values should be fairness and objectivity, have degenerated into a political tool that indiscriminately oppresses the opposition, acting as if they are a direct arm of the government and the ruling party," they stated.
On this day, the special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, simultaneously conducted searches and seizures at Kwon Seongdong's National Assembly and Gangneung offices. The special prosecutor team led by Lee Myeonghyeon, which is investigating suspected external pressure in the death of Marine Private Chae, also searched Lee Cheolgyu's National Assembly office and residence.
The PPP claimed that the searches and seizures were politically motivated to undermine the confirmation hearings. Jang Donghyuk said, "On the day of the confirmation hearing for Jeong Eunkyung, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, a sweeping search and seizure was conducted against former floor leader Kwon, who is a member of the Health and Welfare Committee." He added, "As public opinion worsened due to concerns over the qualifications of several nominees, including Kang Sunwoo and Lee Jinsook, a shallow political ploy was used to deflect attention."
He continued, "Although the search and seizure process was intended to uncover criminal facts, nothing concrete was found," and pointed out, "The locations targeted for the search and seizure even included places unrelated to the alleged crimes." However, he did not disclose the specific charges listed in the warrant.
Jang Donghyuk emphasized, "During the Yoon Sukyeol administration, the Democratic Party claimed that all investigations into their own personnel were politically motivated and even proposed a law criminalizing the distortion of investigations. The same law should be strictly applied to the current three major special prosecutor investigations."
Kwon Seongdong, who was directly subject to the search and seizure, also raised his voice, saying, "The special prosecutor's search and seizure of not only my office but also my residence for political purposes to oppress the opposition is a textbook case of abuse of power." He further stated, "Judges who indiscriminately issue warrants are also problematic," and added, "We will actively respond to all aspects of this situation in consultation with the party."
On the same day, Song Eonseok, the PPP's emergency committee chair and floor leader, visited the National Assembly Speaker's office with members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to protest. Song said, "The Speaker has previously stated that searches and seizures of the National Assembly should be conducted with caution and, if possible, through voluntary submission. We once again request that a public message be issued to the people, applying the same standard to this case." However, it was reported that Speaker Woo responded by saying, "If the lawmaker in question consents to the search and seizure of their office, there is no way to prevent it."
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