Change in Investigation Command System for Kim Hak-ui Illegal Overseas Transfer Case... Criminal Affairs Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to Lead

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] With Moon Hong-seong, the prosecutor suspected of involvement in the illegal travel ban case of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, being appointed as the head of the Anti-Corruption and Serious Crimes Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the existing investigation command structure has been partially adjusted.

According to the legal community on the 23rd, the investigation command for the illegal travel ban case of Kim Hak-ui will now be handled by the Criminal Affairs Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Until now, the Anti-Corruption and Serious Crimes Division, which handles special investigations, had been directing the Kim Hak-ui case, but with Prosecutor Moon’s transfer to head that division earlier this month, he can no longer do so. Prosecutor Moon had also avoided involvement in this case while serving as the head of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office.

Prosecutor Moon is suspected of having been involved in the case as a senior researcher of the Anti-Corruption and Serious Crimes Division at the time of the illegal travel ban on former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui in 2019. Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo is also known to have received reports on the case as the Vice Minister of Justice at that time, thus avoiding directing the investigation.

At the frontline, the newly appointed Suwon District Prosecutor General Shin Sung-sik will lead the Suwon District Prosecutors' investigation team currently handling the case.

Accordingly, the investigation command structure for the illegal travel ban case of Kim Hak-ui has changed from 'Suwon High Prosecutors' Office Chief - Supreme Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption and Serious Crimes Division - Acting Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan' to 'Suwon District Prosecutor General - Supreme Prosecutors' Office Criminal Affairs Division - Deputy Prosecutor General Park Sung-jin.'

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