Uncovering the Truth Behind Non-Indictment Pressure Allegations
Second Day of Search and Seizure at Coupang Headquarters and Related Offices
The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Ahn Kwonsub, which is investigating allegations of external pressure to drop the indictment in the Coupang severance pay case, has begun conducting searches and seizures of prosecutors suspected of interfering with the investigation.
On the afternoon of the 24th, the special investigation team announced that it had begun executing search and seizure warrants at the offices of Kim Donghee, Prosecutor at the Busan High Prosecutors' Office (former Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Bucheon Branch), Eom Heejun, Prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office (former Chief Prosecutor of the Bucheon Branch), and Shin Kahyun, Prosecutor at the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (lead prosecutor in the Coupang severance pay case).
Previously, Moon Jiseok, Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, revealed that while serving as Chief Prosecutor of Criminal Division 3 at the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Eom and Kim, who were then the branch chief and deputy chief, respectively, omitted key evidence and pressured for a decision of non-indictment during the investigation into Coupang's failure to pay severance to daily workers.
In April, the Bucheon Branch issued a non-indictment decision in the case involving Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), Coupang's logistics subsidiary, regarding unpaid severance for daily workers, which had been referred by the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office with a recommendation for indictment. After the case was ultimately closed with a non-indictment, Chief Prosecutor Moon requested an investigation by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office into Eom for alleged abuse of authority and falsification and use of official documents. Eom has completely denied the allegations and requested that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office conduct an internal investigation into Chief Prosecutor Moon for false accusation.
Meanwhile, over the past two days, the special investigation team has also conducted searches and seizures at Coupang's headquarters and the offices of Coupang Fulfillment Services (Coupang CFS).
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