The investigation into alleged interference in the prosecution of Kim Gun-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, is facing obstacles. The Special Investigation Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is seeking to question a former prosecutor involved in the initial investigation of Kim Gun-hee, but is encountering difficulties securing their cooperation.
Investigation Stalled by Lack of Access
The prosecutor, identified as ‘A,’ is currently on assignment in the United States. The Special Investigation Team requested the Ministry of Justice to facilitate A’s return for questioning, but the Ministry responded that it had already provided sufficient assistance. The Special Investigation Team has since requested a formal written explanation for the Ministry’s position.
The Special Investigation Team believes A’s testimony is crucial to understanding the circumstances surrounding the initial decision to clear Kim Gun-hee of wrongdoing. A was involved in drafting the comprehensive investigation report that ultimately led to the no-prosecution decision, and also made revisions to it.
Previous Attempts at Questioning Unsuccessful
The previous Special Investigation Team, led by Min Joong-gi, was unable to question A. While A met with investigators during a search in December 2023, they did not agree to a formal interview. A subsequently departed for the United States on December 28, 2023, after a plan for their assignment was finalized in July 2024, during the investigation into alleged stock manipulation involving Deutsch Motors.
The Ministry of Justice maintains it has fully cooperated with the Special Investigation Team, sharing A’s contact information during a search of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office last month. Still, the Special Investigation Team insists that a formal summons is necessary and will determine its next steps once it receives a written response from the Ministry.
The Special Investigation Team has already interviewed investigators from the original prosecution team and is considering questioning members of the initial team that examined legal arguments related to alleged stock manipulation between December 2021 and April 2022. This initial team produced two internal reports and one official investigation report recommending further questioning of Kim Gun-hee, but the later team that issued the no-prosecution decision argued the initial reports indicated insufficient evidence for a full indictment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the current investigation?
The current investigation is focused on determining the circumstances surrounding the decision to clear Kim Gun-hee of wrongdoing in the past, specifically how the case transitioned from the initial investigation team to the team that ultimately issued the no-prosecution decision.
What role did prosecutor A play in the initial investigation?
Prosecutor A was involved in the practical aspects of the investigation, drafting and revising the comprehensive investigation report that led to the no-prosecution decision.
What is the Ministry of Justice’s position on cooperating with the Special Investigation Team?
The Ministry of Justice claims to have fully cooperated by providing A’s contact information and facilitating communication, but states This proves unsure what further action it can seize.
As the Special Investigation Team awaits a formal response from the Ministry of Justice, what implications might arise if key witnesses remain unavailable for questioning in politically sensitive investigations?
