"Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor" to Be Appointed Soon... Jeon Juncheol Recommended by Democratic Party, Kwon Changyoung by Innovation Party

Additional Investigations After the Three Major Special Prosecutor Cases
Attorney Jeon, Former Special Investigation Prosecutor
Attorney Kwon, Former Judge
President Lee to Appoint Within Three Days

After the conclusion of the three major special prosecutor investigations (insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and Private Chae), Jeon Juncheol, attorney at Kwangjang Law Firm (31st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), and Kwon Changyoung, attorney at Jipyung Law Firm (28th class), have been recommended as candidates for the “Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor” to further investigate remaining suspicions. Attorney Jeon was recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea, while Attorney Kwon was recommended by the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. President Lee Jaemyung must appoint one of them as special prosecutor within three days.

According to the legal community on February 3, the targets of the second comprehensive special investigation are key suspicions that remained unresolved after the three major special prosecutor cases. These include, most notably, suspicions regarding preparations for establishing a national emergency legislative body, known as the “Noh Sangwon Notebook,” allegations of intervention in the route change of the Yangpyeong Expressway, and suspicions of preferential treatment in the relocation of former President Yoon Sukyeol’s official residence.

Other issues likely to be investigated include insurrection and treason charges related to the December 3, 2024 emergency martial law declaration; suspicions of inducing military conflict through armed helicopters flying threateningly over the Northern Limit Line (NLL); allegations of illegal or false opinion polls and nomination deals during the 20th presidential and local elections; and suspicions of improper intervention by First Lady Kim Keonhee in state affairs, personnel appointments, judicial matters, national contracts, and state-owned assets.

Attorney Jeon is a former prosecutor specializing in special investigations, having served as head of Anti-Corruption Investigation Divisions 1 and 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office from 2020 to 2021. He was considered a key member of the so-called “Lee Sungyun group” within the prosecution when Assemblyman Lee Sungyun was serving as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

Attorney Kwon is a former judge who served at the Seoul Administrative Court and the Seoul Southern District Court, and is currently an adjunct professor at Seoul National University School of Law. He also served as chair of the Serious Accident Advisory Committee at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. The Cho Kuk Innovation Party stated, “Professor Kwon is a person with the conviction and belief that those who should be punished must be punished,” adding, “He is also regarded as principled and upright in practice.”

The Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act was passed by the National Assembly’s plenary session on January 16, led by the Democratic Party. Once a special prosecutor is appointed, the investigation period may last up to 170 days, including a 20-day preparation period.