The Corruption Investigation Office holds prosecution review committee on 'alleged report-for-prosecution scandal'... "Deliberations confidential"

Prosecutor Son Jun-seong (former Chief of the Investigation Information Policy Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), identified as a key figure in the allegation of instigating accusations, is attending the second pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) held a prosecution review committee meeting on the 19th to make a final decision on the 'alleged report solicitation' case but decided not to disclose the resolution details.

On the same day, from 2 p.m. to around 6 p.m., the HCIC conducted the prosecution review committee to determine whether to indict suspects involved in the alleged report solicitation, including Son Jun-sung, the Human Rights Protection Officer at Daegu High Prosecutors' Office.

The HCIC prosecution review committee consists of more than 10 members, including former Busan High Court Chief Judge Lee Kang-won (chairman), who deliberate on whether to file charges. Typically, the HCIC makes a final decision within 5 to 10 days after the committee meeting, so the investigation is expected to conclude within this month.

An HCIC official stated, "The prosecution review committee deliberated on the HCIC's final disposition regarding some key suspects in the case," adding, "The committee's recommendations will remain confidential until the HCIC chief makes the final decision."

According to the HCIC, the investigation team submitted an investigation summary, results, and opinion documents to the prosecution review committee, while the suspects' side submitted only opinion documents without appearing in person.

The HCIC has been investigating this case for about seven months since September last year, focusing on Prosecutor Son as a key figure. Son is accused of instructing prosecutors under his command in April 2020, while serving as the Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, to prepare complaints against ruling party figures and collecting information, which he then passed to Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, thereby soliciting reports.

One week after related reports surfaced in September last year, the HCIC registered Prosecutor Son and then-Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, now President-elect, as suspects and launched an investigation. Subsequently, they conducted raids on Son, prosecutors in the Investigation Information Policy Office at the time, Kim, and People Power Party officials, and from October, began summoning suspects and witnesses for questioning. Yoon's wife, Kim Geon-hee, and Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, were also registered as suspects.

From December last year, the HCIC investigated allegations regarding the creation of documents monitoring judges by Yoon and Son, but the investigation was postponed due to Son's health issues. As the presidential election approached, the investigation into the alleged report solicitation was temporarily suspended.

The HCIC is likely to indict Prosecutor Son and Kim without detention. However, it is widely expected that no separate disposition will be made against President-elect Yoon, Kim Geon-hee, or nominee Han.

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