'Criticism of Gunpokmori' Head of National Forensic Service: "No Coercive Investigation... Special Promotions Increased Across All Fields"

Unfair Preferential Promotion in Construction Industry "Hard to Agree"
No Current Link Between Eugene Investment & Securities, Ra Deok-yeon and Stock Price Crash
Consideration of Transferring Voice Phishing Tasks to Criminal Division Underway

The police stated that the investigation into the 'gang violence crackdown' ongoing in the political sphere has been conducted based on victim testimonies and objective evidence.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 15th, Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters, said at a press briefing, "Investigations do not follow claims or slogans but proceed according to the evidence presented," adding, "There can be no coercive investigations, nor should there be any."

Woo further stated, "We requested warrants based on witness statements and objective evidence," and "Since the investigation records have been sent to the prosecution, the prosecuting agency, and submitted to the court, coercive investigations are impossible."

He added, "If there is suspicion of a crime, shouldn't we make every effort to substantively clarify it?" and "There is no such thing as an investigation that should be done slowly or cautiously." On the 4th, Yang Hee-dong, a regional leader of the Construction Union affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Gangwon Province, self-immolated in protest against the investigation into union activities and died.

Regarding criticism that special promotions were focused only on the Construction Union investigation, he explained, "Special promotions have increased across all investigation fields, including drugs and jeonse fraud," and "In the case of voice phishing, the number of special promotions increased from about 20 to over 30 this year." He added, "If the claim is that one sector was sacrificed and all efforts were concentrated on gang violence, it is hard to agree."

Regarding the investigation into the coin lobbying allegations against political and business circles by the issuer of Purever Coin, which triggered the Gangnam kidnapping and murder case, he said, "We have received the coin payment list," and "We are analyzing the actual coin payments and whether there was any quid pro quo." On the 10th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Unit conducted a search and seizure of the office of Uninetworks, the issuer of Purever Coin, and the home of its CEO, Mr. Lee (59).

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Regarding the defamation complaint filed by Kim Ik-rae, chairman of the Daou Kiwoom Group, against Ra Deok-yeon, CEO of an investment advisory firm, Woo said, "We will proceed with the investigation following the procedures after completing the complainant's interrogation," and "So far, no connection has been confirmed between Eugene Investment & Securities and Chairman Ra regarding the stock price crash."

Mr. Ra stated in an interview with a media outlet on the 27th of last month, "If someone profited from the series of declines, that person is the culprit," pointing to transactions by Chairman Kim of Daou Kiwoom Group. Chairman Kim sold 1.4 million shares of Daou Data, where he is the largest shareholder, worth about 60 billion KRW, in a large off-hours trade just before the stock price crash on the 20th of last month.

Regarding the renewal of the investigative police, Woo said, "If necessary, we are considering consolidation and examining parts that need to be newly established depending on crime patterns."

On voice phishing operations, Woo stated, "We are reviewing the integration of actual operational jurisdiction, command, and evaluation functions under the criminal investigation division," adding, "Regarding arrest rates, about 89% of voice phishing criminals are apprehended by the violent crime investigation team." He also said, "Rather than dividing tasks by crime type, we are considering dividing functions and assigning tasks based on methods and tracking."

Regarding actor Yoo Ah-in (37, real name Eom Hong-sik), who is accused of drug use, Woo said, "The suspect is reacting very sensitively," and "We plan to summon him for additional questioning soon."

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