공수처, Is the Investigation Focus Shifting from Yoon's 'Alleged Report Solicitation' to 'Judge Surveillance'?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC), which has been investigating Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, for 175 days as of today, is expected to wrap up the 'alleged report solicitation' case within this week and focus its investigative efforts on the 'judge surveillance document creation' allegations.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the PCC is reportedly considering dismissing charges against Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, and Yoon Seok-yeol, the party's presidential candidate, while prosecuting Son Jun-sung, former head of the Investigation Information Policy Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (currently Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office), without detention. The PCC stated, "No decisions have been made regarding the (alleged report solicitation) case, and the investigation is ongoing," but the legal community views this as the final stage of the investigation.

The PCC is accelerating the investigation into the 'judge surveillance document creation' allegations. They are coordinating the schedule for summoning Prosecutor Son. Initially, the PCC planned to summon him on the 26th or 27th, but Son's side requested a change of date, which is under review. Earlier, on the 22nd, the PCC conducted a complainant investigation regarding this allegation in preparation for summoning Prosecutor Son.

Administrative court ruling on the cancellation lawsuit of disciplinary action against candidate Yoon Seok-yeol during his tenure as Prosecutor General, shared on SNS
Photo by Facebook capture

Administrative court ruling on the cancellation lawsuit of disciplinary action against candidate Yoon Seok-yeol during his tenure as Prosecutor General, shared on SNS
Photo by Facebook capture

Administrative court ruling on the cancellation lawsuit of disciplinary action against candidate Yoon Seok-yeol during his tenure as Prosecutor General, shared on SNS
Photo by Facebook capture

Administrative court ruling on the cancellation lawsuit of disciplinary action against candidate Yoon Seok-yeol during his tenure as Prosecutor General, shared on SNS
Photo by Facebook capture

The direction of the PCC's investigation is expected to depend on the results of Prosecutor Son's summons and interrogation. The allegation is that last February, when Yoon was Prosecutor General, he instructed the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Investigation Policy Office to compile and distribute various information about judges handling major cases in document form. The PCC believes that this case has more materials compared to the 'alleged report solicitation' case, making it relatively easier to prove the charges. The ruling party is pressuring the PCC by highlighting the 'disciplinary resolution document' from Yoon's time as Prosecutor General and a photo of the Seoul Administrative Court's ruling, which were disclosed by whistleblower Jo Seong-eun on the 16th. These materials emerged after Yoon received a two-month suspension from the Ministry of Justice during his tenure as Prosecutor General and filed a lawsuit to cancel it but lost in the Administrative Court.

The PCC is facing increased pressure both internally and externally. If it dismisses charges against key figures in the 'alleged report solicitation' case, it will face fierce criticism from the ruling party. Having surpassed 300 days since its establishment, the PCC also faces the possibility of abolition. Jo Seong-eun, who reported the 'alleged report solicitation,' said, "I hope they do not create a situation where they open the door with difficulty only to close it immediately," adding, "Director Kim Jin-wook must decide whether to remain as the most tragic investigative agency head who opened and closed the door or to fulfill his historical duty."

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