"The Prosecutor Speaks Through Investigation" The Return of the Special Investigator

Lee Won-seok, Song Kyung-ho Revive in the Shadows
Fast Investigation Expected on Daejang-dong Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "Prosecutors must speak through investigations."

The 'special investigation' prosecutors who used to say this phrase like a mantra have made a spectacular return. Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (age 53, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), Song Kyung-ho, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (age 52, class 29), and Shin Ja-yong, Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice (age 50, class 28), appointed on the 18th, are representative 'special investigation' prosecutors within the prosecution. These 'special investigation' prosecutors, who have worked for a long time in special investigation divisions and are well-versed in that field, also called 'knife-wielders,' had not been favored for some time. During the tenures of former Ministers of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Park Beom-gye, personnel principles that favored criminal division prosecutors were applied, causing special investigation prosecutors to be relatively sidelined. They led investigations targeting the administration, clashed with the political sphere, and were stigmatized as 'persons of interest' by the then ruling party during the implementation of prosecutorial reforms such as reducing 'recognition investigations' and 'direct investigation' departments.

In the legal community, it is analyzed that "the top personnel in the approval line are all filled with special investigation prosecutors to conduct large-scale and rapid investigations into important cases." Their investigations may especially serve as a demonstration proving the unfairness of the amended Prosecutors' Office Act and Criminal Procedure Act, known as 'Geomsu Wanbak (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority),' which will take effect on September 9. There is also growing support for the analysis that they are the vanguard in a strategic move by Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon to confront Geomsu Wanbak head-on.

Accordingly, the prosecution is expected to fully reinvestigate major cases where the 'upper echelons' have not been revealed and focus its efforts on cases of high public interest. The 'Daejang-dong Development Privilege and Lobbying' allegations handled by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office are considered the top priority. Although a dedicated investigation team was formed and key figures were brought to trial, the upper echelons have yet to be uncovered. Therefore, suspicions persist regarding Lee Jae-myung, Senior Adviser of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was the mayor of Seongnam at the time and approved the project details. Recently, original residents of Daejang-dong also filed a complaint with the Central District Prosecutors' Office accusing this adviser of breach of trust. The 'Industry Department Blacklist' allegations at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office and the 'early shutdown of Wolseong Unit 1' allegations at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office are also under consideration for reinvestigation.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which handles various fund fraud cases that occurred during the previous administration, is also a potential flashpoint. Yang Seok-jo, newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, is also considered a special investigation prosecutor. Under Minister Han's directive, the Financial and Securities Crime Joint Investigation Unit has been reinstated at the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, preparing to return as the 'Yeouido Grim Reaper.' The joint investigation unit is also expected to investigate the recent controversy surrounding the collapse of the Korean virtual currencies 'Luna' and 'TerraUSD (UST).' Victims are expected to soon submit complaints to the Southern District Prosecutors' Office. It is known that the Southern District Prosecutors' Office has already begun reviewing the issues related to this incident internally.

The investigations are expected to proceed swiftly. According to the content of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, these cases can continue to be investigated regardless of legislation, but if progress slows after the bill's implementation, there may be pressure and backlash from opposition parties. It is advantageous to advance the investigations quickly and show progress before September. Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon also emphasized at the confirmation hearing, "If additional crimes are confirmed in ongoing cases, investigations can continue (even after four months)."

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