Prosecutors Summon Public Corruption Investigation Office Spokesperson Over Alleged False Press Release on Lee Seong-yoon's Preferential Investigation

At the Government Gwacheon Complex, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution summoned Moon Sang-ho, spokesperson for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo), for questioning regarding allegations of drafting a false press release about the 'preferential investigation' of Lee Seong-yoon, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

According to the prosecution on the 7th, the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office summoned spokesperson Moon on the 4th to investigate the circumstances under which the problematic press release was drafted and the individuals involved in its creation. It is reported that Moon was questioned for about 2 to 3 hours as a witness.

Earlier in March, Lee, the head of the prosecutors' office, was reported to have entered the Gongsoocheo building riding in a Genesis official vehicle belonging to Chief Kim Jin-wook for a meeting related to the illegal travel ban case of former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, sparking controversy over a 'preferential investigation.'

In response, Gongsoocheo issued a press release on the 2nd of last month stating, "Gongsoocheo has two official vehicles authorized to enter the building," and explained, "The second vehicle is used for transporting arrested suspects and has rear doors that cannot be opened, so it could not have been used."

However, it was pointed out that the second vehicle was a regular car that had not undergone modifications for transport purposes, and as a result, the whistleblower in this case and civic groups filed a complaint against Chief Kim for falsifying and using false official documents, prompting the prosecution to launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, on the day of the summons, due to Moon's Gongsoocheo schedule, the questioning ended earlier than planned, and the prosecution is reportedly planning to summon him once more for further questioning.

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