Prosecutors' Office: Police Investigate Alleged Budget Misuse at Supreme Court Chief Justice's Residence

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) has decided not to investigate the 'Supreme Court Chief Justice's Official Residence Budget Misappropriation Allegation Case' directly and to entrust the investigation to the police.

On the 16th, Gong-su-cheo announced that it received notification of recognition regarding the case in which Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo was reported to the police on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty, reviewed it, and notified the decision not to initiate an investigation in May.

Previously, Chief Justice Kim and former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae were reported to the police in November 2019 on suspicion of unauthorized diversion of approximately 470 million won in budget allocated for other projects for remodeling the official residence. Accordingly, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, which conducted the investigation, notified Gong-su-cheo of the recognition in accordance with the Gong-su-cheo Act provision that "if a crime involving a high-ranking official is recognized, the fact must be immediately reported to Gong-su-cheo."

Through an official statement, Gong-su-cheo explained, "After reviewing the notification of recognition, Gong-su-cheo judged that it is appropriate for the police to investigate the case and responded in early May that it would not initiate an investigation," adding, "The case is currently being investigated by the police."

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