The Corruption Investigation Office to Soon Finalize Disposition on 'Alleged Report Solicitation'... Son Junsung's Side Claims "Denied Opportunity to Testify"

Prosecutor Son Joon-sung. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) is scheduled to hold a Prosecution Review Committee meeting soon to finalize the handling of the 'alleged report solicitation' case. However, the HCIC has refused to grant Prosecutor Son Jun-sung, who is involved in the case, the opportunity to present his position.

According to Prosecutor Son's legal counsel on the 13th, Son's side requested the HCIC to allow him to attend the Prosecution Review Committee and state his position, but the HCIC refused, citing reasons such as 'there are no regulations.'

Son's lawyer stated, "The HCIC refused on the grounds that 'there are no specific rules regarding attendance in the regulations they created' and also declined to notify the date and time of the meeting," adding, "We request that the Prosecution Review Committee operate reasonably by granting attendance and argument opportunities."

Son's side is demanding the opportunity to argue, citing that the Prosecutorial Investigation Review Committee, which performs a similar function to the HCIC's Prosecution Review Committee, guarantees the attendance and right to rebuttal of the parties involved.

Son's lawyer emphasized, "While the HCIC grants its prosecutors the opportunity to present opinions at the Prosecution Review Committee, blocking the suspect's opportunity violates the fundamental principle of equality of arms under the Criminal Procedure Act," and added, "It also contradicts the purpose of protecting the suspect's defense rights, which the court cited as a reason for dismissing the HCIC's detention warrant request for Son due to insufficient evidence."

He continued, "This is a necessary demand because the committee members need to be informed during the prosecution review stage about coercive investigation and defense rights violations committed by the HCIC during the investigation, related issues concerning the admissibility of evidence, and the process of the quasi-appeal procedure."

He further stated, "If the HCIC, which was launched as a 'human rights-friendly investigative agency,' continues to ignore the suspect's legitimate requests under the formal pretext of lacking internal regulations, it not only invites criticism that the case handling was led behind closed doors based on political considerations but also admits the unfairness of the case handling process itself," adding, "It is deeply concerning as it appears they intend to persist with their methods in secrecy going forward."

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