People Power Party Files Complaint with Prosecution Against Corruption Investigation Office Chief... "Kim Woong's Search and Seizure Was Illegal"

People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye (center) is heading to the civil service office inside the Seoul Seocho District Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the 11th, holding a complaint accusing Kim Jin-wook, head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and other related officials of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. From the left, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Hyung-dong, lawmaker Jeon, and legal advisory committee member Kwon Oh-hyun. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The People Power Party has filed a complaint with the prosecution against the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) and the prosecutors and investigators who conducted a search and seizure on Rep. Kim Woong, the person involved in the 'accusation manipulation' allegation.

On the morning of the 11th, Jeon Ju-hye, the floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, legal advisor Kwon Oh-hyun, and Rep. Kim Hyung-dong visited the General Civil Complaints Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to submit a complaint against PCC Chief Kim Jin-wook and six others, including the investigators who conducted the search and seizure. The charges include abuse of authority, obstruction of the exercise of rights, and illegal search and seizure.

On the morning of the previous day, PCC prosecutors and investigators attempted to execute a search warrant at Rep. Kim Woong's office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Regarding this, Rep. Kim claimed that proper legal procedures were not followed for him as a witness. He emphasized, "The search and seizure began without presenting the warrant to me, which is a clear violation of the Criminal Procedure Act." The People Power Party leadership also protested, stating that the illegal search and seizure was conducted without the presence of the subject and their lawyer, leading to a standoff.

Criticism from the People Power Party's presidential candidates has also emerged over this issue. Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung said on Facebook that "Regardless of the facts, the search and seizure of the office of Rep. Kim Woong, who is currently an opposition lawmaker and assisting candidate Yoo Seung-min, can only be seen as political pressure," adding, "Moreover, a PCC official said, 'We conducted a forced investigation because it was talked about in the media, and whether there is guilt or not is a matter for later,' which is deplorable as a senior member of the legal community."

Rep. Ha Tae-kyung also stated, "This investigation by the PCC will inevitably have a significant impact on the upcoming presidential election," and added, "The investigation must be fair for the results to be trusted."

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