Former Special Inspection Team Chief "Cannot Continue Investigation Due to Yoo Jae-su's Resignation"... Cho Kuk "Not Suspension but Termination"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges including bribery, is attending the first trial held on the 8th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Cho, accused of charges including his children's admission fraud and obstruction of inspection, is appearing in the defendant's seat for the first time about 130 days after the indictment. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Sung-pil] Lee In-geol, former head of the Blue House Special Inspection Team, who appeared as a witness at the first trial of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, testified that "the investigation could no longer proceed as it was settled by receiving the resignation letter from Yoo Jae-soo, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Busan."

The inspection targets of the Blue House Special Inspection Team are defined as high-ranking public officials belonging to the executive branch appointed by the president, heads and executives of public institutions and organizations, etc.

However, since Yoo, who was then the Director of the Financial Policy Bureau at the Financial Services Commission, decided to submit his resignation, Yoo was excluded from the inspection targets.

Former head Lee claimed that this resignation letter was submitted under the instruction of former Minister Cho.

At the trial on the afternoon of the 8th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Mi-ri), the main issue was the circumstances surrounding the suspension of the investigation into Yoo, who was serving as the Director of the Financial Policy Bureau at the Financial Services Commission in 2017.

The prosecution believes that former Minister Cho abused his authority as the then Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs to unjustly halt the ongoing investigation by the Special Inspection Team into Yoo.

The prosecution focused on proving these charges during the questioning that day as well.

The prosecution asked, "Was former Minister Cho also informed that Yoo did not cooperate with the Special Inspection Team's investigation and suddenly took sick leave?" Former head Lee replied, "I understand that he was informed," adding, "I received instructions to hold off through former Anti-Corruption Secretary Park Hyung-cheol."

Former head Lee testified, "I don't remember the exact date, but shortly after, I heard from former Secretary Park that 'Yoo said he would submit his resignation. It was decided at the top to settle it at this level, so we don't need to continue the investigation.'

When asked by the prosecution, "What does 'decided at the top' mean?" he answered, "I remember it was a decision made by the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs (former Minister Cho)."

Former head Lee said that when he informed the team members that the investigation into Yoo would be concluded with his resignation, he said, "This guy, we really should investigate him."

The Special Inspection Team members were reportedly very dissatisfied with the investigation into Yoo being concluded in this manner.

Former head Lee testified, "I was angry and upset because we could not further verify Yoo's misconduct," adding, "The atmosphere among the team members was gloomy."

The prosecution also asked former head Lee if there were other cases where investigations were halted like Yoo's.

He replied, "There were none." He also added that during the investigation, he felt significant psychological pressure due to efforts to protect influential figures in the ruling party such as Yoon Gun-young, Kim Kyung-soo, and Cheon Kyung-deuk, and that concluding the investigation in this way made him think Yoo was someone with very strong backing.

Furthermore, former head Lee responded "Yes" when asked by the prosecution, "At the time of the interim report, shouldn't there have been at least a referral to investigative agencies for Yoo, who received bribes and entertainment worth more than 10 million won?"

He also answered "Yes" to the prosecution's question, "Shouldn't high-ranking officials like Yoo be severely punished considering the impact on the public service community?"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk will stand in the defendant's seat for the first time about 130 days after being indicted. The 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) will hold the first trial session for Cho and others at 10 a.m. on the 8th. Since the defendant is required to attend the trial session, Cho is expected to appear in court. The photo shows the photo line at the Seoul Central District Court ahead of Cho's appearance that day. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

The defense, opposing the prosecution, argues that former Minister Cho exercised the final decision-making authority held by the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and instructed personnel action regarding Yoo, meaning the investigation was 'concluded,' not 'suspended.'

During cross-examination, the defense asked, "Isn't it true that there are no established regulations on what actions the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs can take when an investigation is concluded?" Former head Lee answered, "There are none."

The defense asked, "Doesn't the head of the Special Inspection Team only have the authority to decide whether to adopt intelligence reports created by team members, while the processing authority lies with the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs?" and "Isn't the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs not obligated to choose one of the Special Inspection Team's opinions when making the final disposition?" Former head Lee answered, "That's correct."

The defense also asked, "Isn't it legal that the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs instructed former Secretary Baek Won-woo to notify the Financial Services Commission of Yoo's misconduct?" Former head Lee replied, "I don't know well."

This line of questioning aimed to highlight that former Minister Cho did not abuse his authority.

The defense also launched a questioning offensive to support the claim that since the Special Inspection Team lacks compulsory investigation authority and cannot conduct further investigation into Yoo, former Minister Cho's exercise of decision-making authority did not obstruct the 'exercise of rights' by the Special Inspection Team.

They asked, "Yoo did not voluntarily cooperate with the investigation, such as refusing to submit materials and taking sick leave. Then, what could the inspection team do?" Former head Lee was unable to answer.

Meanwhile, the afternoon trial ended close to 7 p.m. after nearly five hours of questioning. Former Minister Cho was seen dozing off occasionally during the prolonged questioning.

During the recess, he even chatted with former Secretary Baek, with whom he had barely made eye contact during the morning session. During this, former Minister Cho pointed out, "The prosecution fundamentally misunderstands the concept of investigation."

The court decided to hold the next session next month, considering the schedules of the prosecution and defense. On the 5th of next month, former Special Inspection Team investigators Lee and Kim, who investigated Yoo, will be summoned as witnesses for questioning.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.