SACHAMWI Requests Prosecution Investigation into Lee Byung-gi and Others over Alleged Obstruction of Sewol Ferry Truth-Finding

On the 22nd, Park Byung-woo, Director of the Truth Investigation Bureau, announced the investigation details at a press conference related to the request for investigation into the obstruction of the Sewol Ferry Special Investigation Committee by the Blue House and others, held in the main conference room of the Social Disaster Special Investigation Committee at Post Tower, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters (Sacheomwi) has requested a prosecution investigation, claiming that the Park Geun-hye administration at the time systematically obstructed fact-finding activities, including the investigation into former President Park Geun-hye's whereabouts on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster.

On the 23rd, Sacheomwi submitted a request for investigation to the prosecution, stating that Lee Byung-gi, Chief of Staff at the Blue House, repeatedly instructed in October-November 2015 to prevent the Sewol Ferry Disaster Special Investigation Commission (Special Investigation Commission) from adopting an agenda item investigating the Blue House's whereabouts.

The day before, Sacheomwi announced at a press conference, "According to the enforcement decree of the Sewol Ferry Disaster Fact-Finding Act, the Special Investigation Commission's staff was supposed to increase from 90 to 120 starting November 12, 2015, but the Blue House instructed to withhold the dispatch of 17 to 19 public officials," adding, "No additional public officials were dispatched from November 12 until the end of the first phase of the Special Investigation Commission's investigation activities."

They also revealed that the Blue House at the time instructed to ensure that the Special Investigation Commission would not place on the agenda matters concerning the appropriateness of the Park Geun-hye administration Blue House's response to the Sewol disaster, and to respond thoroughly and strongly, centered on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The Special Investigation Commission stated that it obtained and analyzed 256 pieces of related evidence, including the "Blue House Chief Secretary's simple situation and trend report documents" and "internal documents with senior officials of the Ministry of Personnel Management," and confirmed these facts through investigations of 28 related individuals.

The Special Investigation Commission announced that it will provide the prosecution's Sewol Ferry Disaster Special Investigation Unit with the investigation request, witness statements, and 256 pieces of evidence.

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