The Ministry of Justice has appointed Kim Soo-hong, a senior prosecutor, as the head of the investigation team tasked with examining alleged human rights violations and abuses of power within the prosecution. The announcement was made on June 23, with Kim set to officially take on the role on June 24.
Kim, a graduate of Seoul National University’s law school, has held several key positions, including director of the policy planning division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and head of the financial investigation unit at the Southern District Prosecutors' Office.
Na Ha-na, also a senior prosecutor, will take over Kim's previous role as the head of the prosecution division, while Lee Geon-pyo will assume the position of director of the policy planning division.
The investigation team will open a temporary office at the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office and begin its work on June 24. It will investigate cases selected by the Prosecutorial Future Committee and any additional cases identified in the future, focusing on fact-finding and record review.
In addition to Kim, other candidates for team leadership include Shin Dong-hwan, head of the financial and securities crime joint investigation unit at the Southern District Prosecutors' Office; Shin Do-wook, head of the criminal division at the Central District Prosecutors' Office; Cheon Dae-won, a senior prosecutor; and Han Moon-hyuk, a prosecutor at the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is also considering sending approximately eight additional prosecutors to assist the investigation team.
On June 10, the Ministry of Justice launched the Prosecutorial Future Committee, composed of external members, to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses of prosecutorial power. The committee has identified seven initial cases for investigation, including the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, the Daejang-dong case, the incident involving former Democratic Research Institute Vice President Kim Yong, the Wirye New Town case, the shooting of a public official in the West Sea, a statistical manipulation case, and allegations of false reporting related to defamation of Yoon Seok-yeol. The committee requested that the Ministry of Justice establish an independent investigative body within the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, leading to the formation of this investigation team.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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