Choi Jaeyoung's Side Emphasizes Job Relevance at the Corruption Investigation Committee Regarding 'Luxury Bag Delivery'... Decision Expected Late at Night

Focus on Violation of the Anti-Graft Law
Additional Inquiries by Investigation Team After Both Sides' Statements
Pastor Choi Claims Indictment and Absents

The Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee (PIDC) held a meeting on the 24th regarding Pastor Choi Jaeyoung, who provided luxury bags and other items to First Lady Kim Geonhee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

At this meeting, the PIDC evaluated whether the prosecution's decision not to indict was appropriate and discussed whether to investigate and prosecute Pastor Choi for violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, defamation, trespassing, and obstruction of official duties by deception.

The PIDC meeting, held privately at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, lasted about six hours from 2 p.m., during which the positions of both the prosecution and Pastor Choi's side were heard.

Pastor Choi Jae-young, who gifted luxury bags and other items to Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, is holding a related press conference and speaking in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee is being held on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The investigation team explained through presentation materials that the gifts given to the First Lady were merely congratulatory presents for her inauguration or means for coverage and meetings, and that there was no connection to official duties or quid pro quo.

Attorney Ryu Jaeyul, representing Pastor Choi, spoke for about two hours and 20 minutes regarding the allegations of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. He presented video evidence as additional proof, claiming that Pastor Choi requested matters related to President Yoon’s official duties. Attorney Ryu emphasized the issue of official duty relevance by stating, "The focus should be on the relationship between the two individuals."

Pastor Choi Jae-young's legal representative, Attorney Ryu Jae-yul, is answering questions from reporters in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 24th.
[Photo by Joint Press Corps]

After listening to both sides, the PIDC continued internal discussions. They also recalled the investigation team for additional questioning. The Q&A session with the committee members took about two hours. The final recommendation of this meeting will be decided by a majority vote of the attending members and is expected to be disclosed late at night.

Pastor Choi did not attend the PIDC meeting. Before the meeting, he held a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, stating, "I did not attend because I was concerned about defending myself against the committee members' sharp questions," and added, "After much consideration, I decided that not attending would be more beneficial than attending."

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