Latest news with #CorruptionInvestigationOfficeforHigh-rankingOfficials
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
CIO opens investigation into hostess bar allegations against judge
The state anti-corruption agency said Tuesday it has opened an investigation into allegations that the presiding judge for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection trial was treated to multiple visits to an expensive hostess bar. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said it assigned the case to Investigation Unit 3 upon receiving a complaint from several civic groups alleging bribery and anti-graft law violations by Judge Jee Kui-youn of the Seoul Central District Court. Jee has been accused by the liberal Democratic Party of visiting a hostess bar in Seoul's affluent district of Gangnam without paying the cost of 1 million won ($718) to 2 million won per person. The judge addressed the allegations for the first time Monday, saying during Yoon's trial that he has never considered being treated at such places and his typical meal consists of "samgyeopsal" and soju, a reference to the Korean pork belly and rice wine that symbolize the food of commoners. The DP immediately disclosed what it said were photos showing the similarities of a high-end hostess bar's interior and the surroundings in a picture where Jee posed with two other people. The party called for his removal from the bench. In March, Jee was the judge responsible for canceling Yoon's arrest over his martial law bid. The CIO's Investigation Unit 3 is also looking into allegations he abused his power in delivering that ruling. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Yoon Suk Yeol's apartment raided over wife's alleged gifts
Prosecutors carried out a search and seizure of the private residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee on Thursday, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption via ties between the former presidential couple and a shaman, Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin. Wednesday's raid by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office is seen as an effort to secure evidence related to Jeon's alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and his alleged connection to the former presidential couple. The prosecution previously investigated a high-ranking Unification Church official, surnamed Yoon, who reportedly claimed that he gave a diamond necklace estimated to be worth 60 million won ($41,976) and an expensive handbag of unknown value to Jeon, allegedly as a gift for the former first lady Kim after then-presidential candidate Yoon won the election in 2022. The prosecution seeks to verify whether and which gifts were actually handed over to Kim. The prosecutors reportedly suspect that the Unification Church official attempted to lobby the former presidential couple through Jeon in order to gain government-led support for the church's business operations in Cambodia. Authorities also obtained a text message in which church official Yoon reportedly sent Jeon a bundle of cash amounting to 30 million won under the pretext of a "prayer fee." Jeon was previously accused of receiving 100 million won from a politician who ran for office during the local elections in 2018. He is believed to have played a role in decision-making and served as a lesser-known leader of Yoon's campaign team, having been brought in without an official appointment. The shaman was found in a now-deleted video recorded in January 2022, where he introduced then-presidential candidate Yoon to campaign staff with friendly physical and verbal gestures at the office of the networking subcommittee. Jeon was reportedly accused of flaunting his personal connections with the former presidential couple to influence business interests as well. Wednesday's raid was the first time the former president and his wife have been subjected to a search and seizure operation. The joint probe team comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and Korean National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation had attempted to carry out six search and seizure operations of the official presidential office and presidential residence compound in regards to the criminal charges Yoon faces alleging he led an insurrection by declaring martial law Dec. 3. However, each of these attempts were blocked by the Presidential Security Service, which refused to comply, citing military secrets and official confidentiality as reasons for its refusal. The former president's apartment in the Acrovista complex in Seocho-gu is not a location involving classified military secrets or official duties under the Criminal Procedure Act.
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Yoon Suk Yeol's apartment raided over shaman's alleged gifts to wife Kim Keon Hee
Prosecutors carried out a search and seizure of the private residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee on Thursday, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption via ties between the former presidential couple and a shaman, Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin. Wednesday's raid by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office is seen as an effort to secure evidence related to Jeon's alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and his alleged connection to the former presidential couple. The prosecution previously investigated a high-ranking Unification Church official, surnamed Yoon, who reportedly claimed that he gave a diamond necklace estimated to be worth 60 million won ($41,976) and an expensive handbag of unknown value to Jeon, allegedly as a gift for the former first lady Kim after then-presidential candidate Yoon won the election in 2022. The prosecution seeks to verify whether and which gifts were actually handed over to Kim. The prosecutors reportedly suspect that the Unification Church official attempted to lobby the former presidential couple through Jeon in order to gain government-led support for the church's business operations in Cambodia. Unification Church is a religious movement derived from Christianity, founded in 1954 by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Authorities also obtained a text message in which church official Yoon reportedly sent Jeon a bundle of cash amounting to 30 million won under the pretext of a "prayer fee." Wednesday's raid was the first time the former president and his wife have been subjected to a search and seizure operation. Though the joint probe team comprised of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and Korean National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation have attempted to carry out six search and seizure operations of the official presidential office and presidential residence compound in regards to the criminal charges Yoon faces alleging he led an insurrection by declaring martial law Dec. 3, each of these attempts were blocked by the Presidential Security Service, which refused to comply, citing military secrets and official confidentiality as reasons for its refusal. The former president's apartment in the Acrovista complex in Seocho-gu is not a location involving classified military secrets or official duties under the Criminal Procedure Act.
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Policy Watch: Kim Kyoung-soo pledges to disband prosecutors' office, separate functions
Kim Kyoung-soo, a former lawmaker and governor of South Gyeongsang Province who is now vying to be the liberal Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, pledged Monday to disband South Korea's current prosecutors' office with the goal of separating the public prosecution from politics. Kim said he would divide the prosecutors' office into two separate agencies according to its two functions -- investigation and prosecution or indictment -- adding that prosecutorial reform is key to ensuring people's basic rights and social justice. He also vowed to expand the authority and organizational scale of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. The campaign pledge would be in line with the party's yearslong push for prosecutorial reform. Kim was sentenced to two years in jail for his involvement in the "Druking" online opinion-rigging scandal in July 2021. He was released on parole in December 2022 and was granted a special pardon in August last year.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol's release draws mixed reactions
March 9 (UPI) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention, 27 hours after the court ruled his arrest warrant should be canceled. This comes 52 days since he voluntarily complied with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials regarding his detention Jan. 15. "We respect the decision of the district court and have instructed the special investigation unit to proceed with the cancellation of President Yoon's detention," the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said after Yoon was freed Saturday. The court pointed to procedural issues in the prosecution's case, specifically that the indictment was filed after the expiration of the detention period. It also criticized the CIO's claim of legal authority over the case. As Yoon emerged from Uiwang Detention Center in Seoul, he was met by supporters who had gathered daily to call for his release, waving South Korean and U.S. flags while chanting his name. Rather than immediately entering his vehicle, he acknowledged their support with waves, clenched fists and a deep bow. While his hair had grayed slightly, he appeared in good health and composed. A large crowd also gathered near his residence to welcome him, creating a scene reminiscent of a public figure's return to prominence. Reactions to his release were mixed. Some critics likened his demeanor to that of a triumphant general, while his supporters contrasted his resilience with that of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who once left detention in a wheelchair just seven hours after being arrested. "There is much to learn even in detention," Yoon said, expressing gratitude for the efforts of correctional officers. He noted that he had spent time reading the Bible and reflecting on those who had been incarcerated before him. Reaffirming his commitment to his political principles, he signaled his intent to remain engaged in public affairs. Some commentators have interpreted Yoon's release as a significant moment in conservative politics. Conservative media figures have argued that his decision to comply with detention helped prevent potential clashes between law enforcement and his supporters, while others have framed it as a test of South Korea's legal and political institutions. Some observers have drawn parallels between Yoon's return and U.S. President Donald Trump's comeback after his 2020 election defeat. Supporters argue that his resolve is now stronger than when he first took office in May 2022. They also believe that alternative media has played a significant role in shaping public understanding of the political situation, with citizens becoming increasingly familiar with constitutional law and legal debates. Historical comparisons have also been made to South Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, and his push for direct presidential elections during the Korean War in 1952. Some argue that the current debate over constitutional amendments, including proposals for a parliamentary system, could have significant implications for national governance. Critics of the parliamentary system caution that it could shift political influence in ways that alter South Korea's current political balance. Within the ruling People Power Party, divisions have emerged over Yoon's return, with some factions favoring a shift toward a parliamentary system. Analysts suggest that under such a system, it would be difficult for a conservative leader like Yoon to ascend to power in the future. They also note that South Korea's current Sixth Republic framework, established in 1987, has enabled parliamentary dominance, potentially leading to conservative presidents being impeached or forced to resign. After the court's decision to cancel Yoon's detention, prosecutors debated whether to appeal. While Special Investigation Chief Park Se-hyun reportedly opposed dropping the case, the prosecution ultimately decided not to pursue an appeal, as legal experts suggested that a higher court would likely dismiss it. The CIO, which had justified its investigation by alleging that Yoon's case involved charges of abuse of power linked to treason, faced scrutiny from the district court, which ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support such claims. This has renewed discussions on the role of the CIO. Originally established under the Moon Jae-in administration to curtail prosecutorial power, the agency now faces criticism that it exceeded its authority in handling Yoon's case. Some analysts suggest that this controversy could lead to further debates over the CIO's future and its role in South Korea's legal system.
