Allegations of Report Submission: 'Guillotine Investigation' by the Corruption Investigation Office and Related Parties Risking Their Lives in the Battle

Legal circles say "One of the two must die for it to end"
Prosecutors' Office's reversal card amid crisis awareness
Possible abolition after presidential election if defeated
Kim Woong's search and seizure retry expected
Son Joon-sung's phone forensic variable
Interest in Park Ji-won's involvement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "Are you ready?"

Kim Jong-min, a lawyer who served as the head of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office and Suncheon District Prosecutors' Office, recently asked the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI), which has tightened the reins on the investigation into the 'report solicitation' allegations, on social media (SNS). Lawyer Kim emphasized, "This investigation is a real showdown," adding, "One of the two must die for the game to end. Either former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, Assemblyman Kim Woong, and Prosecutor Son Joon-sung die, or HOCI dies?one must definitely perish. There is no 'or else'." In short, it is a 'guillotine investigation.'

Legal circles, including Lawyer Kim, analyze that HOCI has "put its life on the line" in this case. They note that HOCI has acted more swiftly regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon's 'report solicitation' allegations compared to other cases. The background is seen as HOCI's sense of crisis at the edge of a cliff.

In political and legal circles, HOCI is evaluated as a 'time-limited agency' six months before the presidential election. If the regime changes and the ruling and opposition parties switch in next year's presidential election, it is uncertain whether HOCI can continue to exist. Many predict that its roles and functions will be changed, reduced, or possibly abolished.

There are no clear achievements either. HOCI investigated Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, who is suspected of special hiring through improper procedures of dismissed teachers, as the 'No. 1' case and recently handed over the case to the prosecution with the opinion that she should be indicted. However, if the prosecution finds it difficult to indict Superintendent Cho and does not proceed, HOCI is likely to face doubts about its investigative capabilities and the reason for its establishment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is the point where the interpretation arises that HOCI chose former Prosecutor General Yoon's 'report solicitation' allegations as a turnaround card. If the allegations are proven true, it is a golden opportunity to block the presidential bid of the leading opposition candidate, former Prosecutor General Yoon, and prove their capabilities. However, if the opposite occurs, HOCI will have to endure aftershocks that threaten its future. This week is a turning point. HOCI is expected to soon attempt to re-seize the office of Assemblyman Kim Woong of the People Power Party. HOCI prosecutors tried to search the assemblyman's office on the 10th but were stopped by opposition from Kim's side.

There is also keen interest in whether the analysis of former Deputy Director of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for Investigation Information Policy (currently Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office) Son Joon-sung's mobile phone will be completed within this week. HOCI secured Son's mobile phone through a search on the 10th. It is known that they will conduct digital forensic work to check for meaningful evidence. Son is suspected of having directly written the complaints against passport officials delivered to Assemblyman Kim. There are also allegations that a third party intervened through Son. His mobile phone could be the smoking gun to clarify these suspicions.

HOCI may also investigate Cho Sung-eun, former Vice Chairman of the Future United Party (now People Power Party) Election Committee, who revealed that he leaked the allegations to the media. HOCI explained, "Former Vice Chairman Cho visited once last week and was questioned." Since then, Cho has actively disclosed the circumstances and his position on the case through various media. His explanation has brought to the forefront the involvement of National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won in the 'report solicitation' allegations as a key issue.

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