Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to face a prosecutor's investigation for allegedly denying involvement in stock manipulation related to his spouse, Kim Geon-hee, during the presidential election. The police decided to refer the case despite prosecutors' opposition, concluding that the charge of false information publication was valid.
According to legal sources on July 29, the Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency referred Yoon to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges of false information publication under the Public Official Election Act.
Yoon is accused of making false statements regarding allegations of his spouse's involvement in stock manipulation from October 2021 to February 2022 during primary and general election debates. At that time, Yoon stated, "My wife actually suffered losses," "I severed ties with Lee Jeong-pil, who was involved, due to losses," and "There is no fact of my involvement in stock manipulation," fully denying the allegations.
The police special unit determined that the charge of false information publication for electoral gain was sufficiently established after reviewing the relevant facts, legal principles, and precedents.
Notably, some of the allegations against Kim regarding her involvement in Deutsche Motors' stock manipulation were upheld in a second trial, and Yoon was recently convicted in a separate case of violating the Public Official Election Act.
However, there has been tension between the police and prosecutors over this case. The police conveyed their referral opinion to the prosecutors in early June, following investigative guidelines. The Central District Prosecutors' Office, however, argued that the statements in question referred to a loss of 40 million won in the first half of 2010, making it difficult to establish the charges. Nevertheless, the police maintained their referral opinion, asserting that it was reasonable to view the statements as false information publication in light of the overall context and public understanding.
Kim has been found guilty of some charges related to stock manipulation up to the second trial and is currently awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court.
The police special unit, which has been investigating for eight months, concluded 121 out of 192 cases transferred from the Special Investigation Unit, including 17 referrals, 54 cases transferred to other agencies, and 51 cases not pursued or filed, wrapping up all activities the day before.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.