Woo Wonshik Appoints First Standing Special Prosecutor Recommendation Committee Targeting Prosecution Over 'Gwanbongkwon Band, Coupang Non-Prosecution' Allegations

Speaker Woo: "Prosecutorial Investigations Must Restore Public Trust"

On November 11, Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonshik appointed members to the standing special prosecutor candidate recommendation committee tasked with investigating the allegations surrounding the disposal of the Gwanbongkwon band and the alleged external pressure on the Bucheon District Prosecutors' Office regarding the non-prosecution of Coupang severance pay.

The recommendation committee consists of three ex officio members: Lee Jinsu, Vice Minister of Justice; Bae Hyungwon, Deputy Chief Justice of the National Court Administration; and Kim Junguk, President of the Korean Bar Association. In addition, four non-ex officio members were appointed: Yoo Jongwan and Bae Jihoon, recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea, and Koo Bonjin and Kim Youngjong, recommended by the People Power Party. All four non-ex officio members are former prosecutors.

Speaker Woo emphasized, "This special prosecution is the first standing special prosecutor targeting the internal affairs of the prosecution, and the first to be initiated by the decision of the Minister of Justice rather than by a resolution of the National Assembly. It must serve as an opportunity to restore public trust in prosecutorial investigations."

Previously, on October 24, Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho decided to launch a standing special prosecutor investigation into the Gwanbongkwon band disposal allegations and the Coupang severance pay non-prosecution pressure allegations, stating, "It would be best for a standing special prosecutor to examine these matters once again from an objective, third-party perspective."

Assemblyman Woo further explained, "Suspicions about the neutrality and fairness of prosecutorial investigations have intensified since these two cases, and since these issues arose within the prosecution itself, there are also concerns about possible external pressure. Revealing the truth and holding those responsible accountable through the special prosecutor is essential to maintaining the stability of democracy."

Speaker Woo also stressed, "The standing special prosecutor system embodies the public's desire for independent and fair investigations. It is significant in that it aims to clarify issues in the investigative process, restore trust in investigations, and lay the foundation for a desirable criminal justice system."

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, presided over the appointment ceremony of the special prosecutor candidate recommendation committee for the investigation of the allegations regarding the disposal of the Gwanbongkwon band and the external pressure for non-prosecution of Coupang severance pay at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The committee held its first meeting and elected Attorney Yoo as its chairperson.

According to the Act on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors, in the case of a standing special prosecutor, a special prosecutor candidate recommendation committee must be established in the National Assembly. Once the committee is formed, the president must promptly request the recommendation of two special prosecutor candidates.

After the committee recommends two candidates to the president, one must be appointed as special prosecutor within three days of the recommendation. Unlike regular special prosecutors, the standing special prosecutor system does not allow the exercise of the right to request reconsideration (veto).