"I will prepare step by step"
Team to include two assistant special prosecutors, five dispatched prosecutors, and more
Kwonseop Ahn, attorney (25th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), who was appointed as the permanent special prosecutor for the "Investigation into the Alleged Destruction of Cash Band Evidence and Alleged External Pressure Not to Indict in the Coupang Severance Pay Case," stated on the 17th, "I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility."
On the morning of the same day, Special Prosecutor Ahn met with reporters in front of his office in Yeouido, Seoul, and expressed his thoughts, saying, "I will do my best to fulfill the duties entrusted to me."
When asked about the plan to appoint assistant special prosecutors and the preparation period for the case, he replied, "I will prepare step by step from now on. Since I have just been appointed, I will take time to consider everything carefully."
In accordance with the Permanent Special Prosecutor Act, Special Prosecutor Ahn will have a 20-day preparation period, after which he will investigate the two allegations for up to 90 days. Under the Special Prosecutor Act, the permanent special prosecutor team will be composed of the special prosecutor, two assistant special prosecutors, up to five prosecutors dispatched from other offices, and up to 30 dispatched public officials and 30 special investigators, respectively.
The "Alleged Destruction of Cash Band Evidence" case at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office concerns suspicions of evidence destruction that arose when it was belatedly revealed that the cash bands and stickers for 50 million won out of a total of 165 million won in cash bundles found during a search of Jeonseongbae's residence in December last year were missing. The "Alleged External Pressure Not to Indict in the Coupang Severance Pay Case" refers to allegations that, in April of this year, Eom Heejun, then head of the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (currently a prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office), omitted key details in his report to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding the Coupang severance pay non-payment case and pressured Chief Prosecutor Moon Jiseok, who was in charge of the case, not to indict.
Justice Minister Jeong Seongho stated on the 24th of last month, "With regard to these allegations, it was determined that an independent third-party body should verify the objective facts and clearly determine the truth and responsibility. Therefore, based on Article 2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Act on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors, we decided to initiate an investigation by a permanent special prosecutor."
Special Prosecutor Ahn began his career as a prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office in 1996, and subsequently served at the Uijeongbu Branch, Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office, Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, and Anyang Branch. He later held positions as Director of Legal Personnel at the Ministry of Justice, Head of Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Chief Prosecutor at the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Head of the Trial Department at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, and Director of the Yongin Branch of the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
During his tenure at the prosecution, he gained experience in various fields, including anti-corruption (special investigations), public security, labor, violent crimes, narcotics, sex crimes, and trial management. He is known for his calm and prudent personality, as well as his communication skills and sociability.
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