After 180 Days of Investigation
66 Indicted, 20 Arrested
Massive Special Prosecutor Team Mobilized,
Yet Many Key Charges Remain Unresolved
Deutsche Motors, Luxury Goods Allegations:
No Determination on Kim or Yoon's Awareness
The special prosecutor team led by Min Joongki, which has been investigating allegations related to Kim Keonhee, announced its final investigation results on the 29th, concluding 180 days of investigation. The special prosecutor's team stated, "Kim Keonhee used her status as the spouse of the President to easily receive expensive gifts and was extensively involved in various appointments and nominations to the extent that it can be called a modern-day sale of public offices." The team added, "As a result, we confirmed that the public system of the Republic of Korea was severely undermined." While the special prosecutor's team described this investigation as one that "exposed the reality of power-driven corruption," it also faced criticism for handing over many cases to the National Investigation Headquarters and for not concluding investigations targeting political circles.
Achievement: Even the 'Sanctuary' of Kim Keonhee Led to Arrest
The special prosecutor's team indicted Kim Keonhee on charges of manipulating the stock price of Deutsche Motors, accepting free polling services, and receiving luxury goods, and additionally brought her to trial for receiving illicit favors from the Unification Church and taking valuables such as Dior handbags. During the investigation, key figures from the political, business, and religious sectors, including former President Yoon Sukyeol, Kim's spouse, were also listed as defendants.
After being launched on July 2, the special prosecutor's team formed a massive organization consisting of six assistant special prosecutors, 152 personnel dispatched from the prosecution, police, Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the National Tax Service, 59 special investigators, and 27 administrative support staff, totaling 255 members. As a result, the team requested 29 arrest warrants, of which 20 were granted. The total number of people indicted reached 66, with 20 of them being indicted while in detention. In terms of numbers alone, this was one of the most comprehensive investigations among all previous special prosecutor teams. Specific achievements included indicting 18 people in the Sampu Construction and Deutsche Motors stock manipulation cases, 12 people in cases involving the acceptance of luxury handbags, necklaces, and other valuables, three people in cases related to interference in the relocation of the presidential office and residence, 15 people in cases concerning intervention in state affairs and personnel appointments, and 17 people in cases related to obstruction of investigations such as the "Butler Gate" case.
12 Cases Transferred to National Investigation Headquarters, Unresolved Cases Pile Up
However, when reviewing the published investigation results, contrary to the team's self-assessment, a significant number of key allegations were transferred from the special prosecutor's jurisdiction to the National Investigation Headquarters. Of the 16 cases specified as targets under the Special Prosecutor Act, 12 were either wholly or partially transferred to the National Investigation Headquarters. This has led legal experts to comment that "only a list of cases transferred to the National Investigation Headquarters remains, with conclusions deferred."
The most symbolic example is the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegation. The special prosecutor confirmed the existence of price manipulation and the structure of the crime itself, but was unable to make a clear judgment on whether Kim Keonhee was aware of and colluded in the scheme. The same is true for the allegations of receiving precious metals, gold turtles, luxury watches, and the Dior handbag case, which were considered the greatest achievements of the special prosecutor's investigation. The essence of these cases is not simply whether valuables were received, but whether there was a collusive relationship of bribery with the President. However, regarding whether former President Yoon was aware of or involved in these matters, the special prosecutor did not reach a conclusion, citing the need for further investigation. Despite using strong terms such as "sale of public offices," the special prosecutor did not make a legal determination regarding the involvement of former President Yoon, who stands at the apex of these allegations.
The investigation into the Unification Church also dealt a significant blow to the perceived fairness of the special prosecutor's investigation. In the early stages, the special prosecutor detained Unification Church figures such as President Han Hakja and former global headquarters chief Yoon Youngho, signaling the start of an investigation into collusion between religion and politics. However, when suspicions arose that the Unification Church had provided political funds not only to the People Power Party but also to figures such as former Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party, the investigation did not proceed in earnest. As a result, this issue led to the launch of a separate "Unification Church special prosecutor" investigation.
Many cases directly targeting the political sphere also failed to reach a conclusion. Allegations of illegal election interference surrounding Myung Taekyun's provision of free polling services, as well as suspicions of intervention in local elections and nominations, were also handed over to the National Investigation Headquarters to determine whether influence continued after the President's inauguration. During the investigation, the special prosecutor initially decided that some crimes identified were "not within the scope of the special prosecutor's investigation," but after controversy grew, belatedly decided to transfer them. This process led to criticism regarding the consistency of investigative standards and the team's commitment.
The special prosecutor's team will now hand over unresolved cases to the National Investigation Headquarters and shift to a system focused on maintaining prosecutions. Dispatched personnel will be gradually reduced, and the number of assistant special prosecutors will also be decreased depending on the progress of trials.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
