Prosecutors Ignore 'Investigation Suspension' Review Committee Recommendation, Push Forward to Indict Han Dong-hoon

Han Dong-hoon and Jeong Jin-woong's 'Physical Clash' to be Investigated by Seoul High Prosecutors' Office
Lee Dong-jae's Detention Period and Imminent Prosecutor Personnel Changes Pose Burden on Investigation Team
First Case Expected of Non-Acceptance of Investigation Deliberation Committee's Recommendation

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (left) and Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong of the Criminal Division 1, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team handling the 'prosecutor-media collusion' case has made it clear that it will not accept the recommendation of the Prosecutors' Investigation Deliberation Committee to 'halt the investigation' against Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon.

The investigation team appears to have decided to proceed with prosecution after reinforcing testimonies and evidence supporting a 'collusive relationship' with former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae through additional summons and investigations of Prosecutor Han. This is the first time the prosecution has not followed a recommendation made by a committee it established itself.

According to the prosecution on the 30th, the seizure and search of Prosecutor Han's mobile phone USIM (Subscriber Identity Module) the previous day was executed based on a warrant issued on the 23rd. It is understood that the execution was initially postponed because the Investigation Deliberation Committee meeting was scheduled for the 24th.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that the USIM was returned to Prosecutor Han after the first seizure and search, but due to difficulties in smoothly conducting digital forensic analysis of Prosecutor Han's mobile phone evidence, the investigation team moved to secure it again.

Although the Investigation Deliberation Committee recommended 'investigation suspension and non-prosecution' for Prosecutor Han on the 24th, the investigation team judged that there was a significant need to continue the investigation and decided to execute the warrant belatedly.

Immediately after the committee's recommendation, the investigation team indicated its refusal to accept it, stating, "We have not yet started forensic analysis on the mobile phone seized from Prosecutor Han, nor completed even one suspect interrogation," and that "it is difficult to accept the decision to halt the investigation and recommend non-prosecution."

From the investigation team's perspective, since 10 out of 15 current members who participated in the vote at the Investigation Deliberation Committee expressed opinions to 'halt the investigation' and 11 voted for 'non-prosecution,' securing decisive evidence is crucial to reverse the situation.

Within prosecution circles, there is also analysis that, with less than a week remaining on former reporter Lee's extended detention period and considering the imminent personnel reshuffle in the prosecution, the investigation team aims to conclude the investigation of Prosecutor Han before a possible team replacement.

The physical altercation between the investigation team leader, Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 1 (age 51, 29th class), and Prosecutor Han during the search and seizure process is interpreted as a reflection of the investigation team's urgent situation.

Regarding the physical altercation that occurred at the Legal Research and Training Institute's Yongin branch office the previous day, Prosecutor Han filed a complaint against Chief Prosecutor Jeong for 'abuse of authority' with the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and requested an internal investigation.

The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office has expressed its intention to proceed with the internal investigation. Considering that this incident occurred during the investigation of the 'prosecutor-media collusion' case, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office plans to conduct the investigation without reporting to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.

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