Yoon Seok-yeol's Side "Clarify Park Ji-won Gate Suspicion... Doubts on Jo Seong-eun's Credibility"

"Prosecutor's Office's Illegal Investigation, Government's Privatization of Investigative Agencies"

On the afternoon of the 12th, Joo Gwang-deok, the secretary, is speaking at the first meeting of the 'Special Committee for the Truth Investigation of Political Manipulation' held at Yoon Seok-yeol's preliminary candidate national campaign office in Ima Building, Gwanghwamun, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign has formed a Special Committee for the Truth Investigation of Political Manipulation, raising the possibility of collusion between National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Park Ji-won and whistleblower Jo Seong-eun regarding the 'alleged prosecution request scandal.' The committee also raised suspicions about the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) attempting to search the office of Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party.

On the 12th, the Special Committee held its first meeting and stated, "Our primary mission will be to investigate the suspicion of political manipulation collusion between Director Park and Ms. Jo," explaining that "amid precarious inter-Korean relations and chaotic international affairs, there is absolutely no reason for the NIS Director to meet a civilian like Ms. Jo in an official capacity."

The Special Committee argued that the facts need to be clarified regarding Ms. Jo's report of related suspicions to the internet media Newsbus on July 21, Director Park having a meal with Ms. Jo in August, and Newsbus publishing an exclusive article in September.

They also raised concerns about Ms. Jo's credibility. The Special Committee said, "Even looking solely at this case, considering the whistleblower's lies and various behaviors, it is questionable whether it is appropriate to regard her as a public interest whistleblower," adding, "The fact that she applied for public interest whistleblower status just before reporting, and that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office hastily granted her whistleblower status before the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's judgment, raises suspicions that this was a setup to conceal certain related parties."

The Special Committee also criticized the HOCI and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which executed the search and seizure. They declared, "We condemn the political and illegal investigative behaviors of the HOCI, which was established by former Justice Ministers Cho Kuk and Choo Mi-ae, and will uncover its background and reality."

They pointed out that the HOCI did not present a warrant at the time of the search and seizure, failed to guarantee the participation rights of the searched party and their lawyer, and seized materials unrelated to the charges stated in the warrant.

The Special Committee stated, "The fact that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and HOCI conducted dual, comprehensive investigations and interrogations, designated a candidate unrelated to the substance of the case as a suspect, and the illegal search and seizure by the HOCI can only be seen as political oppression of opposition politicians by those in power," adding, "The Special Committee defines all politically biased investigative behaviors as an attempt by the Moon Jae-in administration to 'privatize investigative agencies.'"

They continued, "We will scrutinize investigations conducted for political purposes and those with illegal and unlawful characteristics under a microscope and report to the public."

Meanwhile, the Special Committee, independently formed by former Prosecutor General Yoon, is chaired by lawyer Kim Hong-il, a former head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department, with former lawmaker Ju Kwang-deok, a legal professional, serving as vice-chairman.

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