The Anti-Corruption Agency has decided to request an investigation from the National Investigation Headquarters regarding allegations related to Kim Geon-hee's acceptance of luxury bags and potential violations of the anti-bribery law.
On May 8, the agency announced the findings of its normalization task force (TF).
According to the agency, the TF reviewed various allegations, including past reports concerning luxury bags and new claims related to interference in complaints. It found that Jeong Seung-yoon, the former deputy chair and secretary at the time of the report, delayed the handling of the case and held an unofficial meeting with the accused at the presidential residence late at night, raising concerns about potential violations of the anti-bribery law.
Jeong Il-yeon, chair of the Anti-Corruption Agency, stated during a briefing, "The fact that the former secretary met with former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been confirmed based on testimonies from staff members."
Regarding whether Jeong met with Kim Geon-hee, the subject of the luxury bag allegations, he noted that this is a matter that should be investigated by the authorities.
The TF also reported that Jeong had treated a deceased agency official, who had opposed the closure of the luxury bag case, unfairly by limiting their speaking rights in meetings and excluding them from key tasks, which could be considered workplace harassment. The agency plans to notify the official's current employer about these misconducts.
Additionally, the agency intends to offer a sincere apology to the deceased official and their family.
The TF highlighted issues in the agency's handling of the so-called "helicopter transport privilege" controversy that arose during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as leader of the Democratic Party in 2024. It was reported that Jeong included matters not discussed in meetings in official documents and directed that the actions of medical personnel be reported as violations of conduct, contrary to the department's recommendations.
The TF concluded that the additional testimony indicating that the transfer and helicopter transport between Seoul National University Hospital and Pusan National University Hospital were conducted within the scope of authority suggests that the initial classification as a violation of conduct was inappropriate.
In relation to allegations involving former Broadcasting and Communications Review Committee Chair Ryu Hee-rim regarding "complaint solicitation," the TF noted that the responsible department had recommended forwarding the matter to a third party (the Board of Audit and Inspection or the prosecution), but Jeong had rejected this recommendation. The TF also stated that there are indications that Ryu failed to fulfill their obligation to report private interests during the investigation, prompting a request for an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection.
On May 8, the agency announced the findings of its normalization task force (TF).
According to the agency, the TF reviewed various allegations, including past reports concerning luxury bags and new claims related to interference in complaints. It found that Jeong Seung-yoon, the former deputy chair and secretary at the time of the report, delayed the handling of the case and held an unofficial meeting with the accused at the presidential residence late at night, raising concerns about potential violations of the anti-bribery law.
Jeong Il-yeon, chair of the Anti-Corruption Agency, stated during a briefing, "The fact that the former secretary met with former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been confirmed based on testimonies from staff members."
Regarding whether Jeong met with Kim Geon-hee, the subject of the luxury bag allegations, he noted that this is a matter that should be investigated by the authorities.
The TF also reported that Jeong had treated a deceased agency official, who had opposed the closure of the luxury bag case, unfairly by limiting their speaking rights in meetings and excluding them from key tasks, which could be considered workplace harassment. The agency plans to notify the official's current employer about these misconducts.
Additionally, the agency intends to offer a sincere apology to the deceased official and their family.
The TF highlighted issues in the agency's handling of the so-called "helicopter transport privilege" controversy that arose during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as leader of the Democratic Party in 2024. It was reported that Jeong included matters not discussed in meetings in official documents and directed that the actions of medical personnel be reported as violations of conduct, contrary to the department's recommendations.
The TF concluded that the additional testimony indicating that the transfer and helicopter transport between Seoul National University Hospital and Pusan National University Hospital were conducted within the scope of authority suggests that the initial classification as a violation of conduct was inappropriate.
In relation to allegations involving former Broadcasting and Communications Review Committee Chair Ryu Hee-rim regarding "complaint solicitation," the TF noted that the responsible department had recommended forwarding the matter to a third party (the Board of Audit and Inspection or the prosecution), but Jeong had rejected this recommendation. The TF also stated that there are indications that Ryu failed to fulfill their obligation to report private interests during the investigation, prompting a request for an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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