Minister of Justice Jung Sungho has ordered measures such as an internal inspection to determine the facts regarding allegations that the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office lost evidence related to the tracking of sealed banknotes connected to Jeon Seongbae, also known as "Geonjin Beopsa."
On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice stated, "Regarding the issue reported by the media concerning the loss of evidence and inadequate response by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office in tracking the sealed banknotes related to Geonjin Beopsa, we consider this a very serious matter. The Minister has instructed that all necessary measures, including an internal inspection, be taken to determine the facts and clarify responsibility."
The suspicion of lost evidence involves claims that, prior to the launch of the special investigation into Kim Keonhee, the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which was investigating allegations related to Geonjin Beopsa, lost items such as banknote bands that contained information about the source of cash bundles found at Jeon's residence. Previously, in December of last year, prosecutors searched Jeon's home and secured cash bundles totaling 165 million won. Of this, 50 million won in new bills was sealed by the Bank of Korea.
The Southern District Prosecutors' Office has stated that the bands were lost during the cash counting process by staff members. At the time, Shin Eungseok, then head of the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, had already retired. Shin, during his tenure, was regarded as a prominent special investigation prosecutor. He was also considered a "pro-Yoon" prosecutor, having served as head of the Criminal Division 3 when former President Yoon Sukyeol was chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
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