Hanbyun Kim Jin-wook, Head of the Corruption Investigation Office, Files Complaint Against the Supreme Prosecutors' Office... 'Lee Seong-yoon's Emperor Investigation'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The conservative-leaning lawyers' group, Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (Hanbyeon), filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 2nd against Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC), over allegations of preferential investigation concerning Lee Sung-yoon, chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Hanbyeon claimed, "The facilitation of the investigation by Kim Jin-wook, head of the PCC, reminiscent of an 'emperor's investigation,' constitutes illegal preferential treatment and may fall under the criminal offense of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights under criminal law, as well as violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Kim Young-ran Act)."

They added, "Kim provided his official vehicle to ensure that Lee's visits to the PCC were not recorded, and did not document the interrogation content in the form of a report, only recording the date, time, and place of the meeting."

Earlier, on the 7th of last month, it was revealed that Kim had given Lee, a suspect in the 'Kim Hak-ui illegal departure ban' case, a ride in his official vehicle to the PCC building for questioning, sparking controversy over rule violations.

In response, the PCC stated, "Although it was an unavoidable situation due to security reasons, we will be more careful in the future to prevent any fairness controversies related to case investigations." Hanbyeon commented, "To prevent the PCC from becoming a branch office serving the regime's orders, a thorough investigation and strict punishment of Kim's criminal allegations are necessary."

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