Han Myeong-sook, Optimus, Accusation Solicitation... New Target of the Corruption Investigation Office 'Yoon Seok-yeol'

Prosecutor's Office to Accelerate Investigation into Former Prosecutor General Yoon's Case... Political Controversy over 'Accusation Solicitation' Under Review by Prosecutor's Office

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is heading to the party leader's office at the National Assembly on the 6th to meet with Representative Lee Jun-seok. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) is accelerating its investigation into former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. Following allegations involving former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's obstruction of justice and the Optimus Asset Management fund fraud case linked to Yoon, the HCIC has now also obtained evidence related to 'complaint solicitation.' Given that the HCIC's decisions could influence the upcoming presidential election landscape, there is a high possibility that they will expedite the investigation to conclude it as quickly as possible.

According to the legal community on the 6th, the HCIC's Investigation Division 3 (led by Chief Prosecutor Choi Seok-gyu) will summon Lim Eun-jung, the Ministry of Justice's Inspection Officer (Chief Prosecutor), as a witness for questioning on the 8th.

The HCIC had registered former Prosecutor General Yoon as a suspect during its investigation into the 'Han Myeong-sook former Prime Minister obstruction of justice case' in June. The core allegation against Yoon is that he obstructed the investigation to protect the then-investigation team, considered his close associates, thereby leading to a non-prosecution decision. Officer Lim was directly in charge of the obstruction of justice investigation at that time. As the person who claimed the obstruction, she is an important witness from the HCIC's perspective.

It is known that the basic review of materials has already been completed. After conducting raids on the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office at the end of July to secure documents and other materials, the HCIC is expected to verify through Officer Lim whether written reports, official letters, and protest emails are factual.

The HCIC is also investigating allegations of a negligent investigation into the Optimus Asset Management fund fraud case involving former Prosecutor General Yoon. The suspicion is that Yoon conducted a negligent investigation into the Optimus Asset Management case while serving as the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. This case is also being handled by the HCIC's Investigation Division 3.

After reviewing the secured materials, the HCIC plans to soon begin questioning related parties. There is also a possibility that former Prosecutor General Yoon will be summoned for questioning. However, since Yoon was the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at the time and was included as a suspect for that reason, it is unlikely that the previous decision of no charges will be overturned.

Regarding the 'complaint solicitation' issue, which has become a major political topic, the HCIC must decide whether to conduct a direct investigation. The Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice (Sasehaeng) will file a complaint with the HCIC this afternoon, alleging that former Prosecutor General Yoon solicited complaints against ruling party politicians during his tenure. The complaint targets Yoon, former Supreme Prosecutors' Office Investigation Information Policy Officer Son Jun-sung, former Supreme Prosecutors' Office spokesperson Kwon Soon-jung, and Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon.

Prosecutor Son has completely denied the allegations and has announced legal action. In a statement released this morning, he said, "The Hankyoreh newspaper and News Bus reported allegations that I sent a complaint and attached materials to Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party (then the United Future Party candidate for Songpa Gap)." He added, "I plan to take strong legal action against any baseless allegations and defamation related to this matter in the future."

The HCIC is expected to review the related allegations as soon as the complaint is received and decide whether to conduct a direct investigation. Although the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Ministry of Justice have already launched a two-track fact-finding investigation, given the involvement of current and former prosecutors, there is a possibility that the HCIC will take direct action.

Legal circles expect the HCIC to speed up the investigation into former Prosecutor General Yoon's cases. Since the first case has been concluded and the country has entered the presidential election phase, prolonging these allegations could lead to criticism of 'election interference.'

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye said on his way to work this morning regarding the 'complaint solicitation' allegations, "It must be swiftly clarified." He added, "Primarily, this falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, so we are closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry of Justice is also making efforts to verify the facts within its authority and scope of work."

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