De Facto Investigation Targeting Yoon Seok-yeol Begins... Lee Seong-yoon's Blade on the Test Stand

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2
Formal Investigation into Allegations Related to Kim Gun-hee
Discord Even Before Investigation Begins
"Doubtful Investigative Ability Due to Lack of Special Experience"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Yonghwan), which is examining allegations related to Kim Gunhee, wife of Prosecutor General Yoon Seokyeol, has been put to the test. After reviewing related materials, they have officially launched an investigation. Amid widespread interpretation that this is effectively a complaint and investigation targeting Prosecutor General Yoon, there is keen interest in whether the division will conduct a high-intensity investigation characteristic of a special investigation unit.

According to the prosecution on the 9th, there are two related cases under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2. These involve allegations related to sponsorships of the exhibition planning company 'Kobana Contents' operated by Kim, and suspicions of involvement in stock price manipulation of Deutsche Motors. The Kobana Contents sponsorship allegations were not assigned for over a month after being reported in September, but were handed over to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 on the 4th. The Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case was initially assigned to the Criminal Division 6 but was reassigned to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 on the same day.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division was formerly known as a special investigation unit. It mainly investigates power-related corruption and large-scale economic crimes. Its investigative methods differ from those of general criminal divisions. While criminal divisions conduct investigations based on complaints and accusations, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division recognizes criminal facts and collects evidence and other materials proactively. If new criminal facts are discovered during the investigation, they can also be added to the scope of the investigation. Last year, the case involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk’s family was initially assigned to Criminal Division 1 but was reassigned to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 (then Special Investigation Division 2), after which the investigation proceeded. Subsequently, over 100 search and seizure operations and summons investigations involving around 300 people were conducted in a high-intensity investigation. Eventually, most of the family, including former Minister Cho and his wife Professor Jung Kyungshim of Dongyang University, were indicted and are currently on trial.

However, some voices raise doubts about whether the investigation into Kim’s related allegations will proceed like last year’s investigation into former Minister Cho’s family. The lack of special investigation experience is cited as a reason. The leadership line for last year’s investigation was Han Donghoon (then head of the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office) - Song Kyungho (3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office) - Ko Hyunggwon (head of Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2). All were prosecutors with extensive special investigation experience. In contrast, the leadership line for Kim’s case consists of Chief Shin Seongsik, 4th Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hyeong Jinhwi, and Chief Jeong Yonghwan. All were appointed following Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae’s policy to strengthen criminal and trial divisions. They have more experience in criminal divisions than special investigation units. A lawyer in Seocho-dong commented, "It is questionable how much prosecutors with little special investigation experience can conduct an investigation worthy of a 'special investigation unit.'"

The fact that the investigation into Kim’s allegations began amid discord also adds weight to such speculation. Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seongyun initially intended to assign the Kobana Contents sponsorship allegations to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2, but Chief Prosecutor Jeong reportedly expressed refusal. Rumors even suggest that harsh words were exchanged during this process. Chief Prosecutor Jeong is said to have disagreed with Prosecutor Lee over the nature of the case and the possibility of proving the charges.

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