Police Secure CCTV of Official Residence Over 'Cheongong Suspicion'... "Requesting Investigation Cooperation"

Summons for Defendant Investigation Soon
Possible Arrest Warrant for Jeon Jang-yeon Representative

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The police have begun securing the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the presidential residence, considered the "smoking gun," in connection with suspicions of the fortune teller 'Cheongong's involvement in the relocation of the presidential residence.

A National Investigation Headquarters official from the National Police Agency stated at a press briefing on the morning of the 20th, "We have requested investigative cooperation (from the Presidential Security Service, etc.) to obtain the CCTV footage through proper legal procedures." The official added, "We will also verify whether the CCTV footage was artificially deleted before the 30-day preservation period expired."

The police also announced that they are conducting investigations of related parties, including former Army Chief of Staff Nam Young-shin. After completing investigations of some accused individuals, preliminary investigations are underway to summon former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Boo Seung-chan and others. The official said, "Investigations of the accused will proceed soon."

Earlier, the police faced severe criticism for focusing only on investigating related parties without securing the CCTV footage of the Army Chief of Staff’s residence in March last year, when Cheongong was suspected to have visited. In particular, the police did not attempt to secure the footage, citing the expiration of the preservation period, which led to criticism from political circles questioning the police's willingness to investigate. It is reported that the police are currently securing CCTV footage not only from the Army Chief of Staff’s residence but also from the Seoul office, which Cheongong is suspected to have surveyed in advance.

Regarding the case of the Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young, who was involved in the 'Doctor Car controversy' on the day of the Itaewon disaster, the police said, "We have investigated four officials from Myongji Hospital." When asked about the possibility of additional summons for lawmaker Shin, the police avoided a direct answer, saying, "It is difficult to comment specifically as the investigation is ongoing." Previously, the police summoned lawmaker Shin on the 20th of last month on suspicion of delaying the arrival of the doctor car at the scene of the Itaewon disaster.

Regarding Park Kyung-seok, co-representative of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), who has refused to comply with summons requests, the police stated, "We asked him to express his intention to appear by today," adding, "If he refuses to appear, we will proceed according to law and principles." The official hinted that there is a possibility of applying for and executing an arrest warrant, saying, "There is room for that," without ruling it out.

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