Accusation Referral Yoon No Charges: Prosecution Service Conclusion Draws Polarized Reactions from Ruling and Opposition Parties... Democratic Party "Regrettable" People Power Party "Justice Prevails"

Yeowoon-guk, Deputy Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo), is conducting a briefing on the investigation results of the allegations of solicitation for prosecution at the Gong-su-cheo briefing room on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have each responded differently to the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged solicitation of accusations by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI). The Democratic Party expressed regret that only Prosecutor Son Jun-sung was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, while the People Power Party stated that justice has been served.

On the 4th, HOCI indicted Prosecutor Son without detention, and regarding People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong, although a conspiracy relationship was acknowledged, the case was transferred to the prosecution because Kim is not subject to indictment under the HOCI Act. President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who was investigated for alleged interference in the general election, was cleared of charges.

Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Oh-seop commented, "It is regrettable that HOCI's investigation into the accusation solicitation allegations ended without reaching the core of the case." He referred to Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon's refusal to submit his phone password, stating, "It has become clear why Nominee Han was so determined to protect his 'phone password'."

Regarding the transfer of lawmaker Kim's case to the prosecution, he said, "The truth will inevitably come to light." He added, "Now it is the prosecution's time, but it is obvious that the prosecution will try to cover up the case to protect their own," yet he concluded, "We will first observe how fairly the prosecution enforces the law."

In contrast, People Power Party floor spokesperson Park Hyung-soo said about HOCI's investigation conclusion, "Although belated, justice has been served." However, Park criticized, "The problem is that HOCI overturned the non-prosecution recommendation of the HOCI Prosecution Review Committee held last month and recognized the violation of the Public Official Election Act by Prosecutor Son and lawmaker Kim, indicting Son without detention and transferring Kim's case to the prosecution." He added, "It is deplorable that after concentrating all investigative resources for eight months, the result is an indictment and transfer regarding violations of the Public Official Election Act that were not even initially reported."

Spokesperson Park also urged the prosecution to thoroughly uncover the truth. He stated, "Now that lawmaker Kim's case has been transferred to the prosecution, the prosecution must thoroughly investigate the entire case, including the solicitation of accusations, illegal civilian surveillance, illegal searches and seizures, and breach of official secrets, and disclose the full details to the public."

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