Joseong-eun: "Kim Woong, instruct to submit the accusation not to the Central District Prosecutors' Office but definitely to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office" (Comprehensive)

Jo Seong-eun, former Vice Chairman of the Future United Party's Election Committee
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Jo Seong-eun, who revealed herself as the whistleblower in the 'accusation solicitation' scandal, stated that "(People's Power lawmaker Kim Woong) demanded that the accusation documents be definitely submitted to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."

On the 10th, Jo appeared on JTBC Newsroom and said, "Lawmaker Kim (then Kim Woong, United Future Party candidate for Songpa Gap) unilaterally sent over about 100 image files," revealing this.

Currently, Lawmaker Kim is under suspicion of handing over accusation documents regarding passport officials, which he received from Son Joon-sung, Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office (then Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), while exchanging messages with Jo via Telegram messenger in April last year.

Jo said, "Lawmaker Kim said, 'It must be submitted to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Civil Complaints Office, and absolutely not to the (Seoul) Central District Prosecutors' Office,'" adding, "At that time, I thought I needed to see what kind of action was being requested at the party level, so I did not ask any specific questions."

When asked by the anchor, "Why do you think the accusation documents were delivered to you?" she replied, "At that time, since I was involved in various tasks at the Nth Room task force (TF) and the election campaign committee, I thought it might have been given to me because I was known to receive various reports."

Regarding the reason for reporting to the online media Newsbus, she said, "It was more of an accident than a report. A report is an active act with the will of the party involved, but this was something I came to know naturally through my relationship with Newsbus," adding, "I agonized for over a month due to personal reasons about pushing forward with the report. There was no way to take any prior action regarding the report."

About why she reversed her previous statement denying being the whistleblower, she said, "I thought it was appropriate to organize my position before speaking, so I needed time," and apologized again, saying, "I sincerely apologize for unintentionally providing inaccurate information."

Regarding the press conference of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Lawmaker Kim, Jo said, "I felt very absurd and insulted while watching," and stated that she is planning legal action. "Since a person who served as Prosecutor General and a lawmaker from a prosecutorial background made statements and actions that are absolutely unacceptable, I will hold them accountable with the highest criminal and civil measures, excluding personal feelings," she added, "I am also considering handling this together with separate laws such as the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act."

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