Prosecution Expands 'Blacklist' Probe to Prime Minister's Office... Prosecution and Police Target Moon Jae-in Administration

Prosecution and Police Accelerate Moon Administration Probe
Investigation Expected to Expand to Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Education, and Prime Minister’s Office

[Asia Economy, reporters Jang Sehee and Cho Seongpil] The prosecution and police are accelerating their investigations into the blacklist allegations and the controversy over the clothing expenses of First Lady Kim Jung-sook.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on April 1, the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office (prosecutor Lee Seongbeom) completed a written investigation of Sohn Kiwoong, former president of the Korea Institute for National Unification, in November 2019. In the same year, the prosecution also summoned Sohn Gwangju, former president of the North-South Hana Foundation under the Ministry of Unification, and a former president (referred to as Mr. A) of a national research institute under the Ministry of Education as reference witnesses. Since the prosecution has confirmed the facts with these individuals, other ministries may also launch compulsory investigations depending on the progress of the blacklist probe. As more heads of institutions who resigned due to the blacklist testify, there is a possibility that the investigation will expand to cover the overall personnel appointments during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Sohn, who resigned with about two years and two months left in his term, told Asia Economy by phone, "The secretary-general of the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences called me and said the Blue House had already decided to let me go," adding, "Even if I tried to hold out, I would have no choice but to leave." When he expressed his reluctance to resign and asked, "Whose decision is this?" the secretary-general at the time replied, "I am following the instructions from the Blue House’s Presidential Personnel Office." He also explained that, since the government always has at least one more member on the board, the structure made it impossible for him to remain even if he tried to resist.

Another former president (referred to as Mr. B) of a national research institute, who requested anonymity, also explained the atmosphere at the time by saying, "I did not resign voluntarily," and "It was an unavoidable situation." Mr. B stepped down suddenly with about one year and two months remaining in his term. He stated, "If the prosecution needs to investigate, I will provide more detailed testimony at that time."

C, another former president of a national research institute who submitted his resignation voluntarily, said, "It felt like a typhoon was approaching from afar," and explained, "The overall atmosphere at the time was focused on rooting out deep-seated evils." In fact, shortly after the Moon administration took office, about ten heads of national research institutes left their posts before completing their terms. Sohn Gwangju also recalled that in August 2017, Chun Haesung, then Vice Minister of Unification, told him that it was customary to resign when a new government was inaugurated.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office is focusing on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy blacklist allegations and is expected to continue investigating other ministries. The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office (chief prosecutor Choi Hyungwon), which is currently in charge of the investigation, conducted a search and seizure at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on March 25. Three days later, on March 28, the prosecution simultaneously searched and seized four Korea Electric Power Corporation subsidiaries and four public institutions where, during the Lee Myung-bak administration, directors from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy had served as presidents.

Regarding the clothing expenses of First Lady Kim Jung-sook, a police investigation into the Blue House’s special activity funds is also expected to begin in earnest. The Civil Society Countermeasures Committee for the People’s Livelihood filed a complaint against Mrs. Kim for alleged embezzlement and violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, and the case has been assigned to the Anti-Corruption and Public Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The Civil Society Countermeasures Committee for the People’s Livelihood also filed an additional complaint the previous day for spreading false information and obstruction of business. In response, the Blue House stated, "The clothing expenses are unrelated to special activity funds and were paid out of personal funds."