The Corruption Investigation Office summons Son Junsung for the first time in two months... Second round following the detention hearing

Strategic Exclusion of Some Charges in Arrest Warrant
Son Expected to Fully Deny Various Allegations
Fierce Dispute Anticipated Over Complaint Drafting
Another Key Figure Kim Woong to Be Summoned Around Tomorrow

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyung-min and Kim Dae-hyun] The key figure in the so-called ‘Gobal Saju’ (accusation inducement) scandal, Son Joon-sung, the Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, appeared at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) on the 2nd for questioning.

Prosecutor Son arrived around 10 a.m. in a black car, avoiding the press, and entered through the back door of HOCI. HOCI is keeping all details of the investigation into Prosecutor Son, who was summoned as a suspect, strictly confidential. A HOCI official stated, "We cannot confirm anything without (Prosecutor Son’s) consent."

The investigation is expected to continue until late afternoon. This is the first summons interrogation of Prosecutor Son since HOCI began a full-scale investigation into the Gobal Saju allegations about two months ago, starting in September.

Both sides are expected to engage in intense confrontations in the interrogation room today. HOCI and Prosecutor Son’s side already revealed their cards during the pre-trial detention hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 27th of last month. The detention warrant was dismissed then, and this summons interrogation is considered the second round.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

HOCI is pressing Prosecutor Son on whether he was involved in the case. Questions are expected to focus on whether he directly wrote the accusation letter or delivered it via Telegram, and the circumstances under which Prosecutor A, who worked with Son around April last year, searched for the same court ruling attached in the Telegram messages.

It appears that HOCI concealed some charges when applying for Prosecutor Son’s detention warrant, likely as a strategic move. More than half of the content related to Son’s charges was included, but some individuals involved in the allegations were listed as ‘identity unknown.’ While some analysts say this reveals a lack of thorough investigation, others believe HOCI deliberately withheld information to avoid revealing their cards to Prosecutor Son’s side.

However, although HOCI has digital forensic data from whistleblower Jo Sung-eun’s mobile phone, they have not been able to unlock Prosecutor Son’s phone due to not knowing the password, causing difficulties in the investigation. It is reported that there is no other evidence. Securing decisive testimony through this summons interrogation is crucial.

Prosecutor Son is expected to deny all allegations against him. In particular, regarding the ‘Sent by Son Joon-sung’ mark appearing on the accusation letter and other materials sent by Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, via Telegram to Jo Sung-eun, Son is likely to argue that the mark was added during the process of being returned from a third party. This was the same logic he presented during the previous detention hearing. He claims that he also received the materials from someone else and returned them, and that they were delivered to Representative Kim through an unknown route.

The ‘Gobal Saju’ allegations involve claims that during Yoon Seok-youl’s tenure as Prosecutor General, the prosecution solicited the opposition party to file accusations targeting ruling party figures. Prosecutor Son, who worked as the Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in April last year, is accused of instructing subordinate prosecutors to draft accusation letters and collect supporting evidence against ruling party figures, conspiring with Representative Kim Woong and others to induce accusations. Following Prosecutor Son’s interrogation, HOCI plans to summon another key figure, Representative Kim Woong, as early as the 3rd for questioning.

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