"Reinvestigation Based on New Standards and Perspectives"
Kwon Changyoung, a lawyer at the law firm Jipyong who was appointed to the second special prosecution team, is arriving at his law office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Yonhap News
Special Prosecutor Kwon Changyoung dismissed criticism that this is a "rehash special counsel investigation of the same case," stating, "We will not simply follow the previous special prosecutor's work as it was, but will reassess the case from a zero base," and added, "We will investigate again based on new standards and perspectives, so the term 'rehash' is inappropriate."
At a meeting held on the 6th at the law firm Jipyong in Jung-gu, Seoul, Special Prosecutor Kwon said, "There is still much that has not been revealed regarding the overall acts related to insurrection or involvement in martial law," adding, "The fundamental mission of the special prosecutor is to realize justice by doing our utmost to secure a final guilty verdict through meticulous maintenance of the indictment."
He also rebutted criticism that a lawyer who is a former judge without investigative experience was appointed as special prosecutor. Special Prosecutor Kwon said, "During my 18 years as a judge, I spent 8 years solely on criminal trials. I have written at least 4,000 criminal case judgments," adding, "I have ample experience in criminal cases, so there is no need for concern."
Previously, the presidential office announced the day before that President Lee Jaemyung had appointed Kwon as the special prosecutor under the "Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor for the Fact-Finding of Insurrection, Treason, and State Capture Committed by Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee, etc." (Second Comprehensive Special Counsel Act).
Meanwhile, this Second Comprehensive Special Counsel Act passed the plenary session on January 16 under the leadership of the Democratic Party. The scope of investigation under the Second Comprehensive Special Counsel Act covers a total of 17 issues, including suspicions related to the "Noh Sangwon notebook," which were not dealt with by the previous three special prosecutors. It will also investigate charges of insurrection and "treason and military rebellion" against former President Yoon Sukyeol, as well as various allegations of election interference and abuse of power involving the former president and his wife.
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