Sejong Police Agency Investigates Jeon Hyun-hee, Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission, for Abuse of Power in 'Choo Mi-ae's Son Favoritism' Case

▲ Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Sejong Police Agency announced on the 30th that it is investigating the abuse of authority allegations against Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which were referred for investigation by the Board of Audit and Inspection, after receiving the case from the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office.

In 2020, when former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae was in office, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office launched an investigation into criminal accusations concerning preferential treatment during the military service of the former minister's son. This led to concerns that the prosecution investigating the child of a sitting Minister of Justice could pose a conflict of interest.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission at the time stated, "Although Minister Choo and her son are private stakeholders, it is judged that there is no specific connection to official duties," and issued an interpretation that it was difficult to consider it a conflict of interest.

In response, the Board of Audit and Inspection conducted a special audit last month and determined that the former chairperson intervened in the Commission's interpretation, referring the matter to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for investigation.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office assigned the case to the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on the 26th of last month, and the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office transferred the investigation to the Sejong Police Agency, where the Commission is located, in early November.

A Sejong Police Agency official said, "We are currently reviewing the documents received from the Board of Audit and Inspection, and we also sent investigators to the Commission to check if there are additional materials related to the matter," adding, "Since the data is extensive, the investigation will require a significant amount of time, and we plan to summon and question the related parties once the facts are confirmed."

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