Internal Discussions on 'Prosecution Reform' Within Treason Special Prosecutor's Team
Special Prosecutor: "A Forum for Sharing Opinions"
Shin Yonghae, Former Head of Correctional Bureau, Summoned Over 'Prison Capacity Allegations'
On the 3rd of last month, when investigators from the Special Prosecutor for Treason, Joeun Seok, who is investigating the suspicion of obstruction in the vote to lift martial law, attempted to search the floor leader's office of the People Power Party at the National Assembly, the protesting members of the People Power Party resisted and blocked them.
The Special Prosecutor's team for treason, led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eunseok, which is investigating allegations of obstruction of the vote on the resolution demanding the lifting of martial law, has reportedly questioned incumbent members of the People Power Party.
On October 1, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyeong stated at a regular briefing, "We have also questioned some members of the People Power Party whose identities cannot be disclosed," and added, "We intend to investigate People Power Party officials in various ways."
She continued, "(The lawmakers who responded to the investigation) are incumbent members, and the questioning took place at the High Prosecutors' Office. It appears there were at least two. As for whether People Power Party officials have been summoned, it is difficult to confirm due to the nature of the investigation."
Previously, the special prosecutor's team summoned Assembly members Kim Yeji and Cho Kyungtae as references for questioning, and has requested witness examinations in court for former party leader Han Donghoon, as well as Assembly members Kim Taeho, Kim Heejung, and Seo Beomsoo.
In addition, it has been confirmed that, amid requests from prosecutors and investigators seconded to the Kim Kunhee special prosecutor's team to return to their original posts following discussions on prosecutorial reform such as the abolition of the prosecution service, prosecutors seconded to the treason special prosecutor's team have also held internal discussions.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "There have been internal discussions within the treason special prosecutor's team as well, but I don't think it's wrong to gather and share concerns in response to these changing circumstances. It does not seem appropriate to take issue with even the sharing of opinions among prosecutors. Our goal is to uncover the truth as quickly as possible, and everyone is working hard toward that end."
Meanwhile, from the morning of October 1, the special prosecutor's team summoned Shin Yonghae, former head of the Correctional Bureau, as a suspect for questioning regarding allegations that former Justice Minister Park Sungjae instructed staff to check prison capacity immediately after the proclamation of emergency martial law.
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