Trial of Lee Seong-yoon for 'Kim Hak-ui's Withdrawal Investigation Cover-up' to Intensify Next Month... Witnesses Include Park Sang-ki and Kim Oh-soo

Lee Seong-yoon, the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, is arriving at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The trial of Lee Seong-yoon, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted on charges of exerting intimidation to cover up the investigation into the illegal travel ban imposed on former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, will intensify starting next month.

The Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Seon-il) completed the preparatory proceedings for the trial of Lee, who was indicted on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of justice, on the 6th.

The court will hold the first formal trial session on the 20th of next month and plans to examine Jang Jun-hee, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office's Major Economic Crimes Investigation Division, as a witness. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jang was serving as the head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Anyang Branch at the time of the emergency travel ban on former Deputy Minister Kim, and in December last year, he reported that Lee exerted pressure on the Anyang Branch to cover up the investigation.

Since the defendant is required to attend the formal trial, Lee is expected to appear in court for the first time on that day.

Witnesses are expected to include key figures from the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the Blue House, such as former Minister of Justice Park Sang-ki, Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo (then Deputy Minister of Justice), former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Bong Wook, and former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Kwang-cheol.

The prosecution stated, "Since all the witnesses are prominent figures, it will be difficult to examine multiple witnesses in one session. Examining them one by one will take over a year," and requested the court to "swiftly proceed with the witness examinations."

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