Abuse of Authority and Public Disclosure of Criminal Suspicions
Former President Moon Jae-in has filed a complaint against the prosecutors who investigated allegations of bribery against him for abuse of authority and public disclosure of criminal facts to the High-level Criminal Investigation Agency (LKA).
On the 30th, the Democratic Party's Task Force on Political Suppression of Former Administrations submitted the complaint to the LKA, calling for a rigorous investigation of the officials responsible for the related investigation.
The complaint targets Lee Chang-su, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (former head of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office), Park Young-jin, the current head of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, and the prosecutors who were involved in the investigation. The former president's side claimed that they proceeded with the investigation with political intent, disregarding judicial procedures.
"Surprise indictment, ignoring procedural legitimacy… Coercive investigation as well"
Previously, the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office had non-arrest indicted former President Moon on charges of bribery under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act for receiving approximately 217 million won in salary and housing costs from Thai low-cost airline Thai AirAsia from August 2018 to April 2020 after his son-in-law, Seo, was hired by the company owned by former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik.
In response, the Democratic Party's Task Force on Political Suppression of Former Administrations criticized the investigation during a press conference that day, stating, "This investigation was a political act intended to harass and insult the former president and his family,” and emphasized that “the prosecution had already predetermined its conclusion and conducted a rigged investigation."
They continued, “Despite summoning dozens of people and conducting searches at numerous locations, they unexpectedly indicted former President Moon without even hearing his position once," asserting that “the ‘lightning indictment’ that lacks even the minimal procedural legitimacy is a clear abuse of prosecutorial authority."
"Stalking-style investigation leading to serious human rights violations"
Additionally, the Democratic Party raised concerns regarding human rights violations during the investigation process. They claimed, "The investigation against the former son-in-law’s mother continued in an almost stalking manner, and the overall investigation process severely violated human rights protection investigation regulations."
The Democratic Party stated, "We cannot stand idly by against the indiscriminate political revenge of the prosecution," and demanded that the LKA "thoroughly uncover the reality of abuse of power and political oppression in the name of the people and history." They also called for the LKA to "immediately initiate a swift and strict investigation."
With this complaint, the investigation surrounding former President Moon Jae-in and the political confrontations in the political arena are expected to enter turbulent waters once again.
Image source: News1
