<기사제목>Police Chief: "Frontline Dissatisfaction with 'Daejang-dong Investigation'... Hope for Good Cooperation with Prosecution"

Whether Gwak Sang-do's Son Case Will Be Transferred to Prosecution Still Under Review
Mobile Phone Thrown Out by Yoo Dong-gyu Undergoing Repair Before Forensic Procedure
17 Real Estate Speculation Allegations Against Lawmakers Under Internal and External Investigation

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency. / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Regarding the criticism that there is a 'discord' between the prosecution and the police due to overlapping investigations into the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency expressed hope for faster consultation with the prosecution.

At a press briefing on the 18th, Commissioner Kim addressed the recent discord controversy between the prosecution and police over the Daejang-dong investigation, saying, "Since the most important thing is to promptly and thoroughly uncover the substantive truth, the police are cooperating to the fullest extent," but added, "However, there are many difficulties being reported at the field level regarding some forced investigations."

Commissioner Kim continued, "When I spoke with Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo last time, I mentioned that it would be better if consultations were conducted more swiftly and smoothly, and (Prosecutor General Kim) also said he would fully cooperate," adding, "I expect active cooperation and consultation from the prosecution regarding forced investigations to proceed well."

The prosecution and police have each formed dedicated investigation teams to probe the Daejang-dong allegations. However, there have been ongoing criticisms of discord related to the seizure of the former mobile phone of Yoo Dong-gyu, the former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who is a key figure in the allegations, and the prosecution’s request to transfer the case involving the 5 billion won retirement pay received by Assemblyman Kwak Sang-do’s son.

Regarding the prosecution’s seizure of former Director Yoo’s mobile phone, Commissioner Kim said, "The police applied for the search warrant, and while the prosecution’s application was delayed, the prosecution also applied for and obtained a warrant for the same matter and executed it," adding, "Such urgent matters could be handled more effectively through close joint consultation and cooperation, and I hope cooperation will be well achieved through practical consultation."

However, when asked whether the prosecution’s request to transfer the case involving Assemblyman Kwak’s son was made following the president’s order for cooperation between the prosecution and police, he explained that it was done according to investigation protocols. Commissioner Kim said, "The warrant for the search of Assemblyman Kwak’s son was applied for on the 6th, and the prosecution conveyed their intention to request transfer since both sides are investigating the same case," adding, "On the 8th, they officially notified the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency of their intention to request transfer. The president’s remarks were on the 12th, so there seems to have been some misunderstanding due to the timing." The police are currently reviewing the case with the prosecution to confirm whether it is the same case and plan to decide on the transfer after further consultation.

The mobile phone that former Director Yoo reportedly threw out the window is being analyzed at the Digital Forensic Center of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency. Commissioner Kim said, "The Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency requested the analysis on the 12th, and I was informed that the damage to the device is quite severe," adding, "We need to obtain related parts and first repair the device so it can function normally, then proceed with the analysis. We will carry out the process quickly and thoroughly according to procedures."

Meanwhile, the investigation into members of the National Assembly related to real estate speculation allegations triggered by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) is reportedly nearing completion. Currently, 33 lawmakers and 34 cases are under investigation. The police have transferred two cases deemed to have sufficient evidence and closed 15 cases without indictment. The transferred lawmakers include Kim Kyung-hyup of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of failing to report land purchases, and Jeong Chan-min of the People Power Party, who faces bribery charges. Investigations and preliminary inquiries are ongoing for the remaining 17 cases. Commissioner Kim stated, "Most of the investigations have been completed, and we are at the stage of confirming only the final details."

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