In a notice to the media on the 23rd, the team said it was conducting a search and seizure at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in connection with Shim, a suspect, on allegations of “participation in key duties of insurrection” and abuse of authority. It said the probe focuses on the dispatch of prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters and on allegations tied to waiving an immediate appeal.
According to the report, on Dec. 3, 2024, before former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, then-Justice Minister Park Sung-jae returned to the Justice Ministry complex in Gwacheon after attending a presidential office Cabinet meeting and convened a meeting of senior officials. Shim is said to have reviewed sending prosecutors to the martial law joint investigation headquarters at Park’s direction.
About 10 people, including bureau directors, attended the meeting, and controversy followed allegations that Park instructed the ministry’s prosecution bureau to “review dispatching prosecutors” to the joint headquarters.
Earlier findings by the special prosecutor investigating insurrection allegations said Park spoke with Shim three times from 11 p.m. that day into the early hours of Dec. 4, raising suspicions Park directed Shim to send prosecutors.
The comprehensive special prosecutor also said materials tied to Shim’s alleged decision to forgo an “immediate appeal” were included in the search and seizure, signaling a parallel investigation.
The report said that in March last year, Yoon, who had been arrested and indicted on charges of leading an insurrection, asked a court to cancel his detention, arguing prosecutors indicted him after the detention period had expired. Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon granted the request.
While the prosecution team argued it should file an immediate appeal of the court’s decision, the report said Shim, after internal meetings including a senior prosecutors’ session, chose not to appeal, and Yoon was released.
The insurrection special prosecutor previously investigated the matter and, in September last year, questioned Shim as a person named in a complaint. But after the investigation period expired, the case was transferred to police, the report said.
The comprehensive special prosecutor is expected to question Shim soon based on materials seized, including what he discussed with Park and how the decision to waive an immediate appeal was made, the report said.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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