Kim Jin-wook, Head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, Referred for Investigation Over 'Secretary Recruitment Corruption' Allegations

Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (left), and Lee Sung-yoon, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo), who recently faced multiple criminal complaints over allegations of an ‘emperor escort’ involving Lee Sung-yoon, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has again been referred to the prosecution for investigation over allegations of ‘recruitment irregularities’ involving a secretary who drove the director’s official vehicle at the time.

On the 5th, the Action Alliance for Restoring the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) requested an investigation by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office into Kim Jin-wook, citing violations of the Anti-Graft Act (commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act), obstruction of business by deception or intimidation, and abuse of authority related to recruitment irregularities involving Kim, a grade 5 secretary who drove the director’s official vehicle during the controversial ‘emperor escort’ incident.

Kim, who passed the bar exam in April last year and was specially hired as a secretary to the Gong-su-cheo director in January this year, is a junior alumnus of Hanyang University Law School, like former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. It has been revealed that Kim’s father is also a junior alumnus of Hanyang University Law School and a classmate from the 14th Judicial Research and Training Institute with Choo. Furthermore, Kim applied for candidacy with the Democratic Party in the June 13, 2018 local elections, when Choo exercised her nomination rights, raising suspicions of preferential hiring.

Lee Jong-bae, representative of Beopse-ryeon, stated, “The Gong-su-cheo is an investigative agency that requires a higher degree of neutrality and fairness than any other state institution,” emphasizing, “It goes without saying that the recruitment process of organizational members must be fair and neutral to ensure the neutrality and fairness of the Gong-su-cheo.”

He added, “According to the Personnel Innovation Department’s regulations on ‘Special Appointment Public Officials,’ grade 5 special appointment public officials must meet qualification requirements such as ‘at least three years of practical experience in the relevant field after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the related field’ or ‘at least one year of practical experience in the relevant field after obtaining a master’s degree in the related field.’ Since Secretary Kim passed the bar exam in April last year, he may not have met the qualification requirement of ‘at least one year of practical experience in the relevant field after obtaining a master’s degree in the related field.’”

Lee argued, “Therefore, if he was hired despite not meeting the qualifications, depending on the circumstances, the person responsible for recruitment could be liable for obstruction of business by deception or intimidation. If Director Kim instructed the recruitment officer to hire Secretary Kim despite his lack of qualifications, it could constitute abuse of authority causing obstruction of the exercise of rights.”

Lee did not forget to criticize the ‘emperor escort’ controversy involving Chief Lee.

He said, “Director Kim completely fails to distinguish between public and private matters, and shows no understanding of the purpose and role of the Gong-su-cheo. He continues to cause incidents such as ceremonially treating suspects and acting as a lapdog for the regime, making it highly likely that illegal and improper acts were committed during the recruitment process as well,” urging, “The prosecution should thoroughly investigate the recruitment process and impose severe punishment if illegal charges are confirmed.”

Earlier, the Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of the Korean Peninsula (Hanbyeon), the Judicial Examination Preparation Group (Sajunmo), and the Hwalbindang party filed complaints against Director Kim with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for abuse of authority causing obstruction of the exercise of rights and obstruction of official duties by deception related to the ‘emperor escort’ allegations.

After CCTV footage showing Chief Lee transferring to Director Kim’s official vehicle was released, netizens have been renaming the Gong-su-cheo as the ‘High-ranking Officials’ Crime Concealment Office,’ ‘Our Side Protection Office,’ and ‘Respectfully Serving Office,’ expressing skepticism with comments like, “If they are already like this, can they conduct a fair investigation?”

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