Special Prosecutor Requests Arrest Warrants for Former CIO Chief Prosecutors Kim Seonkyu and Song Changjin over 'Investigation Obstruction' in Corporal Chae Case

"Serious Offenses and Risk of Evidence Destruction"
Kim Seonkyu and Song Changjin Known as "Pro-Yoon Prosecutors"

On November 12, the special prosecutor's team led by Lee Myunghyun, which is investigating allegations of obstruction and delay in the probe into the death of Corporal Chae, requested arrest warrants for Seonkyu Kim and Changjin Song, former chief prosecutors of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials. Both Kim and Song are classified as so-called "pro-Yoon prosecutors" due to their close ties with former President Yoon Sukyeol.

Seonkyu Kim and Changjin Song, former chief prosecutors of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials. Photo by Yonhap News

The special prosecutor's team stated, "There is substantial reason to suspect that the accused have committed crimes, the offenses are serious, and there is a risk of evidence being destroyed," explaining that they had applied for arrest warrants for both individuals at the Seoul Central District Court.

Kim, the former chief prosecutor, is suspected of obstructing the investigation into the external pressure on the Corporal Chae case while serving as acting director of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials during the first half of last year. The special prosecutor's team believes that Kim instructed staff not to summon those involved in the case ahead of the April 10 general election.

Song, the former chief prosecutor, is accused of obstructing the application for search and seizure warrants for former President Yoon's personal mobile phone and the presidential office's internal phone line while serving as acting deputy director of the Corruption Investigation Office in June last year. At the time, Song reportedly said during a meeting presided over by Director Oh Dongwoon, "I cannot approve the search and communication warrants. If I am excluded from the approval process, I will resign."

The special prosecutor's team suspects that Song deliberately attempted to obstruct the investigation, given his previous working relationship with former President Yoon. Song worked with Yoon at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office in 2009 and the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in 2011.

Additionally, the special prosecutor's team is investigating Song for alleged perjury under the Act on Testimony, Appraisal, etc. before the National Assembly. Song was reported by Democratic Party lawmakers after testifying before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in July last year, stating that he "was unaware that Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, was involved in the external pressure on the Marine Corps investigation." Song previously served as legal counsel for former CEO Lee during the 2021 investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.