Prosecutors' Office Finalizes Conclusion on Lee Joo's 'Accusation Instigation'... Will Yoon Shake Off Suspicion?

by Kim HyeongMin

Published 24 Apr.2022 09:22(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) is reportedly about to finalize the investigation into the alleged report solicitation scandal, drawing attention to what kind of disposition will be made regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the HCIC will decide as early as this week whether to prosecute Son Jun-sung, the Human Rights Protection Officer at the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, based on recommendations from the Prosecution Deliberation Committee.

Officer Son is accused of, while serving as the Investigation Information Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in 2020, instructing prosecutors under his command to draft complaints against then pro-government figures and collect information, and delivering the complaints to Representative Kim, effectively soliciting the reports.

On the 19th, the HCIC submitted a proposal to the Prosecution Deliberation Committee to indict Officer Son and Representative Kim. However, after four hours of deliberation, the committee recommended non-prosecution. Attention is focused on HCIC Chief Kim Jin-wook's decision, as he holds the final authority over the case's handling.

With differing opinions between the investigation team and the Prosecution Deliberation Committee, the decision is expected to be difficult. The direction of handling President-elect Yoon is also critical. Whether to sever or maintain the case line pointing to Yoon, identified as the highest-level figure in this case, could significantly change the situation. However, if the HCIC decides to follow the committee's recommendation and not prosecute Officer Son and Representative Kim, it is highly likely that President-elect Yoon and others will also undergo non-prosecution procedures.

The HCIC may also choose not to make a final disposition regarding President-elect Yoon. Although Yoon will have criminal immunity after taking office, in principle, investigation against him is not impossible.

However, it is practically difficult to investigate a sitting president without decisive evidence. Moreover, it is uncertain whether any new clues different from the current ones will be found even if reinvestigation is conducted five years later.