The second special prosecutor team announced on August 3 that it is effectively impossible to initiate a new investigation into former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae's violation of the anti-corruption law within the current investigation period, recommending that the case be referred to the National Investigation Agency.
Special Prosecutor Kim Ji-mi held a regular briefing at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, stating, "The case against former Minister Park, prosecuted by the National Investigation Agency, has been concluded," and added, "Only record retention procedures remain, so it cannot be transferred."
However, he noted that an agency with proper investigative authority could initiate a new investigation. He explained, "The results of the investigation conducted by the National Investigation Agency have been rendered invalid due to a dismissal ruling, so it cannot be continued and a new investigation must be initiated."
He further stated, "With less than three weeks remaining in the special prosecutor's investigation period, it is practically impossible to reopen and conclude the investigation into this case," emphasizing the need to refer the matter to the National Investigation Agency.
On July 31, National Investigation Agency Chief Jo Eun-seok transferred the case against former Minister Park, who received a dismissal ruling for allegedly soliciting the cover-up of an investigation involving Kim Geon-hee, to the special prosecutor's office under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act. However, on the same day, the special prosecutor's office stated, "According to Article 18 of the National Investigation Agency Act, cases that have been prosecuted and have a final ruling must be handed over to the Prosecutor General within ten days and cannot be transferred."
Previously, former Minister Park was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-kwan) for charges related to insurrection. However, the allegations concerning the violation of the anti-corruption law related to Kim Geon-hee were dismissed. Consequently, the National Investigation Agency withdrew its appeal regarding those charges on July 29.
During the regular briefing, Special Prosecutor Kim reported that "13 suspects and 21 witnesses have been investigated." He also mentioned that former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who was questioned regarding abuse of power allegations on July 23, did not provide his phone password as initially promised, leading to the postponement of the forensic analysis that was scheduled for last week.
The special prosecutor's office later revealed that it had requested the National Forensic Service to unlock the password and plans to conduct an electronic data screening process soon.
Additionally, the special prosecutor's office reported that it had uncovered evidence of organized involvement by the Counterintelligence Command in the investigation of the death of Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong. Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "We have detected indications that the 'Guardian TF,' organized by former Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Jin-woo, illegally prepared for a state of emergency while excluding the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and that the Counterintelligence Command was systematically involved in the Chae Sang-byeong case, and we are currently investigating this matter."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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