Prosecutors Halt Search of Rep. Kim Woong's Office: "Regret Interference, Abusive Language, Loud Shouting... Considering Re-execution of Warrant"

Only 11 Hours of Standoff in the Assembly Member's Office

Prosecutors from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are conducting a search and seizure at the National Assembly office of Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, on the 10th in connection with the so-called allegation of instigated accusations involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC), which is investigating the allegations of 'prosecution referral manipulation,' has halted the search and seizure of the office of Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party.

On the 10th, a PCC official stated around 9:30 p.m. that "from the morning, we attempted to execute a search and seizure at the Yeouido National Assembly office and annex office of Representative Kim, a key figure in the case, but were unable to proceed due to obstruction by Kim and some members of the People Power Party, and thus had to stop."

The PCC official added, "The investigation team tried to carry out the search and seizure warrant, which was issued by the court recognizing its necessity, following proper legal procedures. We deeply regret that a lawful act was blocked by the force of many, and that during the process, the prosecutor was subjected to loud shouting, scolding, and informal speech."

Earlier, Representative Kim has been suspected of handing over indictments against passport personnel, received from Son Joon-sung, former Policy Officer of Investigation Information at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (currently Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office), while exchanging messages on Telegram with Cho Seong-eun, who is known as the whistleblower in the prosecution referral manipulation allegations.

On the morning of the same day, the PCC's Investigation Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Choi Seok-gyu) conducted search and seizure operations at five locations, including the residences and offices of Prosecutor Son and Representative Kim. It was confirmed that a total of 23 PCC personnel, including five prosecutors, were deployed.

However, the leadership of the People Power Party and Representative Kim arrived at the scene and strongly protested, confronting the investigation team, which prevented the search and seizure from proceeding properly.

The PCC official added, "We will continue to review whether to re-execute the search and seizure warrant."

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