Cho Kuk: "Prosecutors Must Investigate Kim Gun-hee, Han Dong-hoon, and Jung Ho-young Before Claiming 'Retention of Investigation Rights'"
Published 17 Apr.2022 18:04(KST)
"Real Power Investigation and Apology for Internal Illegal Acts Needed"
"'Geomsuwanbak' Is a Wrong Term... Prosecution Retains Rights Such as Requesting Supplementary Investigations"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk has been continuously criticizing the prosecution, which opposes the so-called 'complete removal of prosecution investigation rights (Geomsu Wanbak).' Former Minister Cho argued that before the prosecution insists on 'maintaining investigation rights,' at least 'investigations into the living power' and 'apologies and investigations into internal illegal activities' must be conducted.
On the 17th, former Minister Cho posted on Facebook a message titled "Several things that must be done before the prosecution opposes the long-standing 'separation of investigation and prosecution' raised by both ruling and opposition parties and insists on maintaining investigation rights."
He stated that the prosecution should conduct a "real investigation into the living power," suggesting "a thorough investigation into the involvement suspicions of Kim Gunhee (spouse of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol) in the Deutsche Motors case, unlocking the iPhone password of Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, and a comprehensive investigation before the personnel hearing regarding suspicions of medical school transfer and military service of the children of Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare."
Regarding the suspicions related to the nominee's children, former Minister Cho added, "Including seizure and search of the children's diaries." This appears to be a claim that the nominee should be investigated by the same standard as when the prosecution seized the diary of Cho Min, former Minister Cho's daughter, during the investigation of his family's admission corruption.
Former Minister Cho then mentioned 'apologies and investigations into illegal acts within the prosecution,' demanding "an apology for the three times the face of Vice Minister Kim Hak-eui in the villa sexual bribery video was not recognized (or ignored) and the case was dismissed without charge, an investigation and sanctions against those involved in the Channel A case inspection and obstruction of investigation, and an apology and disciplinary action against responsible prosecutors (chiefs) for the Seoul city official Yoo Woo-sung spy fabrication case, in which the court exceptionally confirmed abuse of prosecution rights."
He emphasized, "Even after the 'separation of investigation and prosecution,' the prosecution retains the right to request supplementary investigations and the right to investigate police corruption," stating that "'Geomsu Wanbak' is a wrong term."
On the 15th, former Minister Cho also argued that the prosecution needs to conduct a seizure and search regarding suspicions related to the nominee's children. After sharing an article about the nominee's son on Facebook, he said, "Why does the prosecution, which used to talk about investigating the living power (Sal-gwon-su), not immediately conduct seizure and search of the nominee's house, Kyungpook National University research lab, and Kyungpook National University medical hospital?" and added, "If he is a close friend of Yoon Seok-yeol and a minister nominee, isn't he truly the living power? Do the same, no more, no less."
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