Only a fair investigation can dispel suspicions
Published: 14 May. 2024, 19:31
Song Kyung-ho, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office who spearheaded investigations related to the first lady, was replaced after two years in office. The senior-rank reshuffle took place a week after the presidential office reinstalled the office of the senior secretary for civil affairs and put former Vice Justice Minister Kim Joo-hyun in the spot. President Yoon Suk Yeol said he restored the post he had eliminated upon taking office in order to “get closer to public sentiment.” But the reshuffle suggests the office’s primary mission is to protect the presidential family.
Lee Chang-soo, head of the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office who previously was the spokesman for Yoon when he was the prosecutor general, replaced Song as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Song will serve as head of the Busan High Prosecutors’ Office from now. Four of his deputies also were replaced.
There had been talks about reshuffle of the prosecution when new Justice Minister Park Sung-jae took office last February amid speculations about a clash between top prosecutors and the presidential office over the prosecution’ investigation into first lady Kim Keon Hee’s alleged involvement in manipulating stock prices of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in Korea, between 2009 and 2012.
During a confirmation hearing, an opposition lawmaker asked then-Justice Minister nominee Park about the rumor over ousting Song due to differences over the prosecution’s actions on the first lady. At that time, Park denied there would be a senior-level reshuffle. Speculations about massive replacements at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office resurfaced after the April 10 parliamentary elections. The suspicions have turned out true.
Kim Chang-jin — first deputy head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office responsible for the probe on Kim’s acceptance of a luxury bag — was named a planning director of the Institute of Justice, and Koh Kyung-gon, who led the Deutch Motors investigation, moves to the Suwon High Prosecutors’ Office, all pushed out to the peripherals.
The new head of the Seoul Central District Office is known to be close to the president. While serving as chief of the Seongnam branch, he investigated opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung’s past solicitation of funds for Seongnam Football Club. The appointment apparently seats a figure who could please the president to oversee the case related to the first lady.
During a recent press conference, the president made it clear that he disapproves of the idea of a special investigation on his wife, calling it a “political offensive.” But his actions raise questions about the motive.
Lee Chang-soo, head of the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office who previously was the spokesman for Yoon when he was the prosecutor general, replaced Song as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Song will serve as head of the Busan High Prosecutors’ Office from now. Four of his deputies also were replaced.
There had been talks about reshuffle of the prosecution when new Justice Minister Park Sung-jae took office last February amid speculations about a clash between top prosecutors and the presidential office over the prosecution’ investigation into first lady Kim Keon Hee’s alleged involvement in manipulating stock prices of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in Korea, between 2009 and 2012.
During a confirmation hearing, an opposition lawmaker asked then-Justice Minister nominee Park about the rumor over ousting Song due to differences over the prosecution’s actions on the first lady. At that time, Park denied there would be a senior-level reshuffle. Speculations about massive replacements at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office resurfaced after the April 10 parliamentary elections. The suspicions have turned out true.
Kim Chang-jin — first deputy head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office responsible for the probe on Kim’s acceptance of a luxury bag — was named a planning director of the Institute of Justice, and Koh Kyung-gon, who led the Deutch Motors investigation, moves to the Suwon High Prosecutors’ Office, all pushed out to the peripherals.
The new head of the Seoul Central District Office is known to be close to the president. While serving as chief of the Seongnam branch, he investigated opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung’s past solicitation of funds for Seongnam Football Club. The appointment apparently seats a figure who could please the president to oversee the case related to the first lady.
During a recent press conference, the president made it clear that he disapproves of the idea of a special investigation on his wife, calling it a “political offensive.” But his actions raise questions about the motive.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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