Prosecutor General's Office Audit Opens Solely by People Power Party... Kim Yong Focuses on 'Arrest and Search' Details

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok: "Criminal charges substantiated enough to issue arrest warrant"
Lee: "Would it have been easy to decide on a search and seizure... Prosecution has duty to execute warrant"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok appeared at the National Assembly's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 20th. After taking the witness oath, he handed the oath document to Chairman Kim Do-eup amid protests from Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] During the National Assembly inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 20th, conducted solely by the People Power Party after the Democratic Party refused to participate, numerous questions were raised regarding the investigation surrounding Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute and a close aide to Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kang Baek-shin) abruptly arrested Deputy Director Kim the previous day on charges of receiving illegal presidential election funds amounting to over 800 million won and attempted to conduct a search and seizure of the Democratic Research Institute located at the Democratic Party headquarters. However, the attempt was thwarted due to strong opposition from the Democratic Party.

The prosecution is reported to have uncovered evidence that Deputy Director Kim requested 2 billion won in presidential election preparation funds from Yoo Dong-gyu, former Acting President of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, in February of last year.

Former Acting President Yoo conveyed Deputy Director Kim's request to Nam Wook, a lawyer and owner of Cheonhwadongin No. 4, an affiliate of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, a private operator involved in the Daejang-dong project. Lawyer Nam is said to have raised over 800 million won and delivered it to Deputy Director Kim through lawyer Jeong Min-yong and former Acting President Yoo between April and August of last year.

During the National Assembly inspection by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Park Hyung-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, questioned, "The search warrant specifies even the delivery location, and given this, it seems the investigation has already progressed significantly. Have you secured testimony from former Head Yoo?"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok responded, "I cannot provide detailed information on the specific investigation status or progress as the suspect is currently under arrest and being interrogated. However, I believe sufficient evidence has been presented to justify the issuance of the arrest warrant."

The People Power Party claims that the Democratic Party is raising suspicions that the prosecution is conducting an illegal investigation by attempting to persuade former Head Yoo and demanded a detailed explanation from Prosecutor General Lee.

In response, Prosecutor General Lee stated, "I understand that former Head Yoo and Deputy Director Kim have had relationships with opposition party lawmakers for over ten years. It is highly questionable whether someone who has served as the head of an institution or a senior official of an institution could be persuaded in such a manner."

People Power Party lawmakers also inquired about the circumstances leading to the prosecution's search and seizure of the Democratic Research Institute. Prosecutor General Lee explained, "The ABC of search and seizure involves the workplace and residence. Obtaining a warrant for a residence is as difficult as threading a needle because it requires substantial proof. If a residential warrant is issued, an office warrant will inevitably follow. If this office had been a personal office, the search would have been conducted more comfortably."

He added, "Before the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection, I received a report that the Democratic Research Institute was located inside the Democratic Party headquarters. Would it have been easy for me to decide to conduct a search and seizure inside the party headquarters? However, I have the duty to execute the issued warrant."

He further appealed, "During the execution of the search warrant, prosecutors pleaded for eight hours but were unable to carry out the warrant due to persecution and overwhelming force, and had to return. I felt sorry and regretful for the prosecutors. Since we are not trying to seize political or policy matters of a public party, I believe there will be cooperation."

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