Special Investigation Unit Launches Probe into 24 Individuals Including Cheongwadae Security Office Chief over 'Speculation Allegations'

Assignment by Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency

Kim Young-heon, Auditor of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and staff members entered the building on the afternoon of the 19th to request an investigation into a total of 23 local government officials and employees of local public enterprises suspected of speculation at the Joint Special Investigation Headquarters of the Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The government joint investigation team (Joint Investigation Team) has referred 23 individuals, including local government officials and employees of local public enterprises, for investigation, and the Government Joint Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation Headquarters) has launched a full-scale investigation into the speculation allegations involving a Blue House security office employee.

On the 23rd, the Special Investigation Headquarters announced, "We have assigned the case involving 24 individuals referred for investigation by the Joint Investigation Team and the Blue House to the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency and have commenced the investigation."

It was confirmed that Mr. A, a manager at the security office, jointly purchased 413㎡ of land in the 3rd New Town area with family members, including the spouse of his brother who works at the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), in September 2017. Mr. A has been placed on standby suspension.

Among the 23 local government officials and local public enterprise employees suspected of speculation, Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province has the highest number with 10 people, followed by Ansan City with 4, Siheung City with 3, and Hanam City with 1. The rest include 2 from Bucheon Urban Corporation, and 1 each from Gyeonggi Urban Corporation, Gwacheon Urban Corporation, and Ansan Urban Corporation.

The Special Investigation Headquarters reportedly assigned the case to the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency, viewing the speculation allegations of the individuals referred for investigation as linked to existing cases. A Special Investigation Headquarters official stated, "Interviews with witnesses, summons of suspects, and search and seizure to secure evidence will continue."

Meanwhile, as of today, a total of 360 reports and tips related to speculation have been received through the 'Police Report Center' established by the Special Investigation Headquarters. The police plan to review the credibility of about 120 of these cases and decide whether to initiate internal or external investigations.

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