Investigation Into 17 Allegations
Related to Martial Law and Former First Lady Kim Keonhee
The second comprehensive special prosecutor investigation (led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Changyoung), launched to uncover various allegations surrounding former President Yoon Sukyeol and former First Lady Kim Keonhee, has begun its full-fledged investigation schedule. The second comprehensive special prosecutor investigation will reinvestigate 17 issues, including allegations related to the December 3 Martial Law, as well as matters involving former President Yoon Sukyeol and former First Lady Kim Keonhee, which the three previous special prosecutor investigations (on insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and the death in the line of duty of a Marine) failed to fully clarify.
Kwon Changyoung, special prosecutor (center), is holding a plaque unveiling ceremony in front of the Special Prosecutor's Office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi on the 25th ahead of the start of a full-scale investigation. Photo by Choi Taewon
On the morning of the 25th, the second comprehensive special prosecutor team held a plaque-unveiling ceremony at its office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Special Prosecutor Kwon Changyoung stated, "Since the launch of the three special prosecutor investigations, many achievements have been made, but the second comprehensive special prosecutor investigation was launched to reflect the public sentiment that there were still shortcomings."
Kwon went on to say, "The special prosecutor system is the 'sword' of the Constitution, designed to safeguard the Constitution and secure trust in the criminal justice system," adding, "We will maintain political neutrality and fairness to the greatest extent possible, and we will conduct a thorough investigation without sanctuary, following only the direction indicated by the law and the evidence."
This special prosecutor team consists of one special prosecutor and four assistant special prosecutors. It can request the dispatch of up to 15 prosecutors and 130 public officials from the prosecution service, the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the three previous special prosecutor teams. Up to 100 special investigators can also be appointed. Including the special prosecutor and the assistant special prosecutors, the team is expected to be composed of up to 251 members.
Excluding a 20-day preparation period, the investigation is given 90 days for the main phase. With presidential approval, the period can be extended twice, by 30 days each time. Accordingly, the special prosecutor team can continue its investigation for up to 170 days, until the end of June. It is expected to affect the political landscape ahead of the local elections scheduled for June 3.
Special Prosecutor Kwon (28th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute) previously served as a judge at the Seoul Administrative Court, the Seoul Western District Court, and the Seoul Southern District Court. He also served as an editorial board member and secretary of the Supreme Court’s Labor Law Practice Research Association. The assistant special prosecutors will be attorneys Kwon Youngbin (31st class), Kim Jungmin (15th class of military judicial officers), Kim Jimi (37th class), and Jin Euljong (37th class).
The special prosecutor team faces a total of 17 tasks to resolve. Key investigation targets include: allegations of insurrection and military rebellion in the planning and preparation process of the December 3 Martial Law; uncovering the true nature of the "Noh Sangwon notebook," which is said to contain plans to dissolve the National Assembly; and allegations of inducing North Korean provocations through threatening flights by armed helicopters over the Northern Limit Line (foreign exchange transaction violations).
In addition, state affairs manipulation allegations related to former First Lady Kim Keonhee are also subject to investigation. These include: allegations of stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors and election interference through Myung Tae-kyun; allegations of preferential treatment in route changes for the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway and in development and licensing for the Gongheung District; and allegations of improper interference in the process of relocating the presidential residence.
The special prosecutor team plans to accelerate its investigation, including summoning those involved and conducting search and seizure operations, as soon as it completes its review of existing investigation records.
Meanwhile, some in legal and political circles criticize the current special prosecutor investigation as a "rehash investigation," noting that it is revisiting cases that have already been investigated once. In response, Special Prosecutor Kwon has stated that he will not merely follow in the footsteps of the previous special prosecutor investigations, but will reexamine the target cases from a zero-based starting point.
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