Second Special Prosecutor Raids Supreme Prosecutors' Office and Justice Ministry Over 'Dior Bag Investigation Cover-Up' Allegations

On May 6, the second Special Prosecutor's Comprehensive Investigation Team launched a compulsory investigation into the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in connection with the 'Dior bag investigation cover-up' case.

Special Prosecutor Changyoung Kwon is giving a statement with deputy special prosecutors at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on February 25. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

The Comprehensive Investigation Team announced to the press on the same day, "We are currently executing search and seizure operations on the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Prosecution Division of the Ministry of Justice in relation to the Dior bag investigation cover-up." However, they did not disclose specific details such as the exact targets of the search or the identities of the suspects.

Previously, on April 2, the special prosecutor's office also conducted search and seizure operations at the office of the chief prosecutor and the head of Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as well as the communications division and the Information and Communications Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. At that time, items such as computers used by those involved in the Dior bag investigation, including potential violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, were subject to the search and seizure.

This investigation targets allegations that the prosecution either facilitated or covered up the probe during the handling of suspicions surrounding Mrs. Kim's acceptance of a luxury bag. The allegations surfaced in November 2023 when footage was released showing Kim Keon-hee receiving a luxury bag from Pastor Choi Jaeyoung. The prosecution formed a dedicated investigation team and launched an inquiry, but after questioning Mrs. Kim at a third-party location, they cleared her of all charges. Later, it was revealed that Mrs. Kim had inquired about the status of the investigation with then-Minister of Justice Park Seong-bae, sparking controversy over what has been called a 'self-exoneration' of the investigation.

Previously, the special prosecutor's team led by Min Joonggi, which investigated allegations involving Mrs. Kim, conducted search and seizure operations targeting eight people on December 18 of last year. The targets included former chief prosecutor Lee, former Minister of Justice Park, former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Juhyun, and former Prosecutor General Sim Woojeong, all of whom were part of the chain of command at the time the non-prosecution decision was made regarding the alleged stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors and the Dior bag case. However, due to limitations in the investigation period, the case was later transferred to the police.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.