‘Kim Yeosa Luxury Bag Suspicion’ Choi Jaeyoung: “Will Prove Solicitation at the Investigation Committee”

Tense Anticipation for Susimwi Conclusion... Complex Calculations if Prosecution and Investigation Continue

Pastor Choi Jaeyoung, who handed a luxury bag to First Lady Kim Geonhee, stated on the 24th at the Prosecutor's Office Investigation Review Committee (Su-sim-wi) that he would "prove (his) bribery request."

The Prosecutor's Office Investigation Review Committee will deliberate on four charges against Pastor Choi from 2 p.m. that day: violation of the Anti-Graft Act, trespassing, obstruction of official duties by deception, and defamation.

Before the afternoon session of the committee, Pastor Choi told reporters, "I gave my lawyer a mission to forget that I am the client and to expose and prove all my bribery requests like an attacker." He added, "I gave full authority to my lawyer to ensure the violation of the Anti-Graft Act is enforced unconditionally," and explained, "For the other three charges?obstruction of official duties by deception, trespassing, and defamation?I have prepared to rebut and defend against the prosecution's indictment."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Pastor Choi will not attend the committee meeting that day; instead, lawyer Ryu Jaeyul will attend on his behalf. Lawyer Ryu said, "Has there ever been a situation where the prosecutor claims innocence and the suspect claims guilt?" He added, "I can put down my role as defense counsel and harshly attack Pastor Choi, or I plan to strongly argue and explain based on facts and evidence that 'there was a bribery request, there is job relevance, so why is it not a violation of the Anti-Graft Act?'"

Previously, the committee convened under the authority of former Prosecutor General Lee Wonseok issued a recommendation of 'non-prosecution' for all six charges, including the violation of the Anti-Graft Act applied to First Lady Kim.

Pastor Choi opposed the results of that committee and requested the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Citizens' Committee to convene another investigation review committee. Following the Citizens' Committee's recommendation to convene the committee, a separate investigation review committee was held that day.

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