Investigation of the Accuser in the 'Military Comment Reinvestigation Suspicion'... Police Accelerate Probe Targeting Moon Administration

Ministry of National Defense Cyber Command Comment Incident
2017 Reinvestigation
Hanbyun: "Conducted with Political Intent Through Illegal Processes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The police have launched a full-scale investigation into allegations that personnel from the Moon Jae-in administration pressured for a reinvestigation of the Ministry of National Defense Cyber Command comment manipulation case. They are also looking into a related complaint concerning the so-called 2019 ‘forced repatriation’ incident, indicating that the police investigation into the previous administration is gaining momentum.

On the 15th, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned a representative from the Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (Hanbyun), who filed a complaint accusing former Blue House National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong and former Blue House National Security Office administrator A of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

The case dates back to 2012. Allegations arose that the Ministry of National Defense Cyber Command posted comments in favor of the then-ruling Saenuri Party ahead of the general and presidential elections. Subsequently, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team indicted former commander Yeon Je-wook and others, announcing that former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin was not involved.

However, after the Moon Jae-in administration took office, in October 2017, suspicions surfaced that former Minister Kim was involved in comment ‘manipulation,’ prompting a reinvestigation. Kim was sentenced to prison terms in the first and second trials for allegedly writing and disseminating tens of thousands of online posts supporting the Lee Myung-bak administration and the then-ruling party while criticizing the opposition from 2011 to 2013. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing his appeal.

On the 1st of last month, Hanbyun filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against former Director Chung and other Moon administration officials for abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. The case was subsequently assigned to the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hanbyun claimed that Moon administration officials decided to reinvestigate with political motives through illegal procedures. Moon Su-jeong, Hanbyun’s deputy secretary-general, said, “Former Minister Kim Kwan-jin is one of the ministers most uncomfortable for North Korea, so the decision to review records to indict him seems politically motivated to remove him during the Park Geun-hye administration.”

In the complaint, Hanbyun alleged that A met with the investigation team leader at the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters in 2017 and had them copy investigation records, which they claimed was an abuse of authority. They stated, “Investigation records are public documents that must follow proper procedures when taken outside. However, it appears they were reviewed not for national security purposes but for disciplinary action against Kim Kwan-jin personally and for a specific political party.” They added, “Forcing the unauthorized removal of public investigation records in violation of the law constitutes abuse of authority as it is an illegal act beyond one’s duty.”

They also suggested that former Director Chung and others could have been involved as accomplices or co-perpetrators, as A could not have acted without instructions or approval from superiors.

The police are also examining other cases involving Moon administration officials who have been accused. In June, Park Sang-hak, head of the Free North Korea Movement, filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accusing former Director Chung and former National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon of abuse of authority and murder by implied intent for forcibly repatriating two North Korean residents through Panmunjom in November 2019. The police summoned Park as a complainant for questioning in July. However, since the prosecution is also investigating related allegations, there is a possibility that the cases may be consolidated.

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