'Presidential Election Extension' Judiciary Committee Audit... Ruling Party: "Yoon's Abuse of Prosecutorial Power" Opposition: "Order for Passive Investigation?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum, Juni Park] During the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Democratic Party of Korea focused its attacks on Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, while the People Power Party launched fierce attacks suspecting a connection between Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo and Seongnam City.

On the 18th, during the Legislation and Judiciary Committee inspection, Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon highlighted the connection between former Prosecutor General Yoon and the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project by referring to the 2011 'Busan Savings Bank Non-performing Loan Case.'

Lawmaker Song stated, "The investigation into the Busan Savings Bank non-performing loan case was conducted in January 2011. At that time, Choi Jae-kyung was the head prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department, and Yoon was the head of the Central Investigation Division. Prosecutor Choi is implicated in the 5 billion won club allegations," adding, "There is a Mr. Jo who received 1 billion won, and former special prosecutor Park Young-soo was introduced as his defense attorney during the witness investigation. He is also mentioned in connection with the 5 billion won club."

He continued, "Reports indicated that over 130 investigators were involved at the time, and there were three almost identical non-performing loan cases, but this case was not investigated. Later, it became a problem to the extent that two people received prison sentences," and pointed out, "Those involved are connected to the 5 billion won club, which could also constitute bribery and corruption offenses."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Soo-jin also said, "It is really difficult to study because allegations keep emerging about how former Prosecutor General Yoon privatized and abused prosecutorial power as a political prosecutor," adding, "The targeted investigation allegations against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate in 2017 (currently Governor of Gyeonggi Province), occurred under Yoon Seok-yeol, then head of the Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon. We need to examine whether they condoned, abetted, or conspired." She also mentioned the allegations of report fabrication, saying, "They involve violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and the Public Official Election Act," and added, "Including the targeted investigation of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, the inadequate investigation of the Optimus case, and the cases involving his mother-in-law and wife, it is extremely serious."

In response, Prosecutor General Kim said, "I will instruct that the relevant matters be thoroughly investigated, including the scope of the investigation."

People Power Party lawmakers focused their attacks on Prosecutor General Kim. Lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye mentioned Kim's previous role as a legal advisor to Seongnam City before becoming Prosecutor General, questioning, "The search and seizure of Seongnam City Hall is basic, but it is excluded from the investigation scope. Did the Prosecutor General instruct this?"

Then, Lawmaker Jeon said, "While the Prosecutor General may feel unfair, the fact that he is somewhat involved with Seongnam City inevitably raises public suspicion," and pointed out, "A reasonable inference is that because the Prosecutor General was a legal advisor to Seongnam City, he is in this position and is not conducting an active investigation into Seongnam City, which could lead to misunderstandings."

In response, Prosecutor General Kim said, "I have instructed to conduct thorough search and seizure without any sacred areas," and added, "An investigation team was formed on September 28, and they have been doing their best to investigate for 20 days."

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