Government Special Task Force on 'LH Incident' Formed with Large Scale of '770 Members'... No Dispatch of Inspectors

Urgent Interagency Meeting on New Town Speculation Allegation Case

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at an emergency meeting of related agencies convened on the 10th at the Government Seoul Office to investigate allegations of speculation by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) employees in the 3rd new town project.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government has decided to form a joint special investigation headquarters (Special Investigation Headquarters) led by the National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) of the National Police Agency, consisting of a total of 770 personnel, to investigate allegations of speculation by employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). However, no prosecutors will be dispatched to the Special Investigation Headquarters. Instead, a consultative body between the NIH and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office will be newly established to maintain a collaborative system.

On the morning of the 10th, the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced through a press release following an emergency meeting of related agencies held at the Government Complex Seoul regarding the LH speculation allegations, "A consultative body will be created between the NIH Investigation Bureau Chief and the Criminal Department Chief of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to frequently share and exchange information on the progress of the investigation and key issues, ensuring no omission of suspects or deficiencies in the initial investigation." Additionally, it stated that 'hotlines' will be established at each level, including NIH Investigation Bureau-Supreme Prosecutors' Office Criminal Department, metropolitan/provincial police agencies-local prosecutors' offices, and investigation teams-jurisdictional branch offices, to hold joint meetings regularly.

The Special Investigation Headquarters, led by the National Police Agency's NIH, will be formed with a total of 770 personnel, including existing NIH staff, personnel from 18 metropolitan and provincial police agencies nationwide, and related institutions. The Office for Government Policy Coordination explained, "To ensure thorough investigations, complaints and tips related to new town speculation received by the prosecution and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will also be notified to the Special Investigation Headquarters for comprehensive analysis and investigation."

After the meeting, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol told reporters regarding the dispatch of prosecutors to the Special Investigation Headquarters, "Prosecutors will come to the investigation team under the Prime Minister's Office, not the investigation headquarters, to work together." Choi Chang-won, the first deputy minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination and head of the government joint investigation team, said, "One more real estate specialist prosecutor will be dispatched to the Prime Minister's Office," but added, "This is not for investigation but to provide legal support."

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye also stated, "President Moon Jae-in emphasized organic cooperation between the prosecution and police, and a complete agreement was reached on that matter. Under the current investigative reform system, a sufficient response posture has been established to address the public's concerns effectively."

The biggest focus of this meeting was whether the prosecution would participate in the investigation process of the LH scandal. Although the government announced the establishment of a 'collaborative system,' it appears that the large-scale Special Investigation Headquarters will proceed without the prosecution's direct involvement. However, according to the current Prosecutors' Office Act, if evidence of involvement by high-ranking officials (level 4 or above) emerges during the investigation, there is a possibility that the prosecution may be brought into the case later.

Acting Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, is taking notes while listening to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's remarks during an emergency meeting with related agencies to investigate allegations of speculation by employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in the 3rd new town project at the Government Complex Seoul on March 10, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

Earlier, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who presided over the meeting, emphasized in his opening remarks, "We will thoroughly uncover the truth using administrative power and public authority so that not a single suspicion remains, and apply the principle of zero tolerance for illegal acts with the maximum punishment allowed by law." The prosecution attended the government meeting related to this incident for the first time, raising interest in their participation in the investigation. However, Prime Minister Chung stated, "Organic communication and linkage between the police conducting the investigation and the prosecution responsible for warrant requests, prosecution initiation, and maintenance are of utmost importance." This clearly distinguished that while 'cooperation' will occur, the police will lead the investigation.

Attending the meeting were Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol, National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong, Acting Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan (Deputy Prosecutor General), and Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yoon-cheol. Prime Minister Chung urged the heads of the prosecution and police agencies, "Please cooperate thoroughly to dispel concerns and achieve results," and added, "I expect you to create a model case of prosecution-police cooperation." He also reiterated, "Since the recovery of criminal proceeds from real estate speculation is a demand from the public in this matter, thorough measures are absolutely necessary."

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