The second special prosecutor team investigating allegations of a cover-up in the Deutsche Motors case, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has initiated additional search and seizure operations at the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The team is focusing on whether there was any involvement from the Ministry of Justice, the presidential office, or Kim Geon-hee's side in the decision not to prosecute her, as well as the circumstances surrounding changes to the investigation records.
During a regular briefing on July 27 at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, Kim Ji-mi, the deputy special prosecutor, stated, "We are currently conducting searches related to the cover-up of the Deutsche investigation involving the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."
The search targets include computers and messaging apps used by then-Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae, Deputy Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jeong, and the head of the Criminal Planning Division. The investigation also aims to secure data from the server of the anti-corruption investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and documents stored on PCs.
Kim explained, "This search is to confirm whether there was any involvement from the Ministry of Justice, the presidential office through the Ministry of Justice, or Kim Geon-hee in the non-prosecution decision, as well as to investigate the changes in the investigation records at that time."
The special prosecutor's team is expected to indict Kim Tae-hyo, the former first deputy director of the National Security Office, this week on charges related to insurrection. Additionally, they have conducted investigations into Kim Jong-wook, the former head of the Coast Guard, who is facing charges related to insurrection.
Furthermore, two corps commanders under the Ground Operations Command have been added as suspects for their roles in preparing for martial law and related activities.
In connection with the Chae Hae-byeong case, investigations are ongoing into the former commander of the Army's Counterintelligence Command and the head of the counterintelligence unit for their alleged abuse of power in obstructing the collection of information related to 'VIP channels.' The special prosecutor's team is also continuing to interview witnesses related to the Guardian Task Force (TF).
Following recent amendments to the Special Prosecutor Act, the team has requested the opinion of the insurrection special prosecutor regarding the indictment of Cho Seong-hyeon, the former commander of the Army's Capital Defense Command. They are also seeking to identify cases previously deemed non-prosecutable by the insurrection special prosecutor that may fall under the scope of the current investigation.
Regarding allegations of changes to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong was summoned for questioning last week, and a second round of suspect interviews is scheduled for next week following forensic analysis of seized materials. The special prosecutor's team has determined that cooperation with Won is proceeding smoothly and has not extended his travel ban.
Additionally, in connection with allegations of covering up the Unification Church investigation, the former head of the National Police Agency's Criminal Intelligence Division and former Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun have been investigated as suspects, with plans to continue interviewing Unification Church officials as witnesses.
The special prosecutor's team plans to visit the Seoul Eastern Detention Center on July 28 to conduct an investigative interview with Kim Yong-hyun, the former Minister of National Defense, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder for insurrection-related purposes.
Meanwhile, regarding allegations of obstructing the arrest of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Kim Ki-hyun from the People Power Party, who have been summoned, have expressed their intention to submit written statements, although they have not yet done so, according to the special prosecutor's office.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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