90 Reports of Speculation Allegations Received at Police Reporting Center... Dual-Track Investigation Alongside Prosecution Cases

Necessity Judgment Leads to Internal and External Investigations
Possibility of Expanding Investigation Scope Centered on 'Ttang'
Ongoing Investigation of Requested Cases
Additional Searches and Coercive Investigations Expected

On the afternoon of the 15th, in front of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Seoul Regional Headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, participants including the Korea Youth Solidarity and the Youth Progressive Party hold candles at the "Emergency Candlelight Rally for Youth Angry at LH Real Estate Speculation." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The government joint special investigation headquarters, centered on the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters (NIH), has entered the second round of investigations into real estate speculation allegations. The police are accelerating a 'two-track' investigation, including search and seizure of cases reported by government investigations and civic groups, as well as intelligence investigations through the operation of their own reporting center.

According to the NIH on the 16th, 90 reports and tips related to real estate speculation allegations were received in just one day through the 'Police Reporting Center,' which began operations the previous day. The police plan to analyze the received tips and initiate internal or formal investigations if they determine an investigation is necessary. A NIH official explained, "The contents of the reports are first checked at the center, and depending on the details, they will be assigned to dedicated investigation teams at each metropolitan police agency or directly reviewed by the NIH's Major Crime Investigation Division."

The reporting center is staffed with five specialized counseling police officers led by a superintendent-level center chief. A direct phone number (02-3150-0025) has also been established for prompt and accurate consultations. The main targets for reporting include ▲ improper use of insider information by public officials or public institution employees ▲ real estate speculation activities ▲ and acts disturbing the real estate market.

Once the reporting center becomes active, the police's own intelligence investigations related to real estate speculation allegations are expected to accelerate. Until now, police investigations have been conducted only on specific individuals through complaints from civic groups and investigation requests from the government joint investigation team. While such complaint cases facilitate rapid investigation initiation at the early stages, they require time to understand the details and go through procedures such as complainant interviews. Moreover, since the accused are aware of the investigation's commencement, they may have time to destroy evidence.

Conversely, if intelligence investigations are conducted through internal tips or reports, the process involves confirming the presence or absence of suspicious points through an internal inquiry before transitioning to a formal investigation. Although it takes some time to switch to a formal investigation, related materials to prove the allegations can be secured within a lawful scope through the internal inquiry. Unlike investigation requests or complaint cases that must focus on specific individuals first, if suspicious points are found, investigations can proceed without limiting the targets. There is also a possibility that related parties will continue to emerge like sweet potato vines centered around specific land.

Experts emphasize the importance of intelligence investigations in real estate speculation cases. Professor Lee Woong-hyuk of Konkuk University's Department of Police Science stated, "Since speculation cases involve many people entangled around land, it is more important to identify the 'suspect location (yong-uiji)' than the suspect," and suggested, "A 'qualitative investigation' is needed to examine each case and look into the background of the land."

Separately, forced investigations such as search and seizure on existing investigation requests and complaint cases are expected to continue. The police are conducting digital forensic analysis on 18 mobile phones seized during the first search and seizure on the 9th. Although there were criticisms that 'empty phones' with erased data were seized, the police rebutted, stating, "Normal analysis is underway." The police plan to summon LH employees suspected of speculation as soon as the analysis of seized items is completed.

Additionally, forced investigations on seven LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) employees who were newly requested for investigation are also anticipated. There is also a possibility of additional police search and seizure at LH headquarters or regional and business divisions to determine whether insider information was used.

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