[앵커]
On the 6th, the Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee recommended not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee for accepting a luxury bag.
Let’s go to the scene on his way to work to see what position Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok, who referred the case to the Investigation Committee by his own authority, will take.
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
The Investigation Review Committee is an independent committee comprised of external civilian experts. I have guaranteed independence by ensuring that the Investigation Review Committee makes independent decisions without any involvement in the composition, operation, decision, or public announcement of the Investigation Review Committee.
As with the previous Itaewon disaster investigation review committee, I have already told you that I will respect the decision of the investigation review committee this time. Regardless of the decision, I have already told you before the investigation review committee that I will handle the case by respecting the opinions of the civilian experts outside the investigation review committee.
[기자]
There are criticisms that the Supreme Court’s conclusion does not match the public’s sense of justice or that it is granting an indulgence. What do you think about these criticisms?
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
I understand that the President has also mentioned in the media that Ms. Kim Kun-hee’s actions were unwise. However, we have also given much thought to the fact that unwise actions, inappropriate actions, and undesirable actions do not immediately lead to criminal punishment or recognition of criminal charges under the law, and that these two issues are on different levels.
That is why I decided that it should go through the deliberation of external civilian experts, not just the prosecution’s conclusion. If the public sees that it did not meet their expectations, it is all because of my lack of wisdom as the Prosecutor General. However, I think we need to respect the opinions of external experts.
[기자]
You ordered a quick investigation, and now the investigation is nearing completion in just four months. How would you evaluate the overall process and conclusion?
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
I am not in a position to evaluate the investigation and handling of this case. Rather, I am in a position to receive evaluation from the public and those who represent public opinion. As I said, if there are any aspects of the investigation process and procedures that fall short of the public’s expectations, it is because of my lack of wisdom as the Prosecutor General.
[기자]
Now, there are still suspicions about stock price manipulation by Deutsch Motors. President, if things continue as they are, you will be excluded from commanding authority during the next term. Do you have any decision or active stance during your term?
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
The Deutsche Motors case is scheduled to have its final appeals trial this week. If we carefully examine the appellate court’s decision, review it thoroughly, and reflect it in the overall investigation, and then process it based solely on evidence and legal principles without any other considerations, I believe we will be able to properly conclude the case. However, since my term ends this week, I think it will be difficult for me to conclude it.
As for the previous Anti-Bribery Act violation case and the Deutsche Motors case, there were questions from you all. While I was serving as the president, I had my own difficulties handling these cases, but I can tell you that I tried my best to handle them based solely on the evidence and legal principles, without considering other factors, such as the status or identity of the person under investigation or other circumstances related to the case.
[기자]
Mr. President, you ordered an investigation into the controversy over the Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s post-report during the investigation of Ms. Kim. I would like to ask about the progress of this.
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
I have already instructed that the investigation be investigated to the extent that it does not interfere with the investigation. The prosecution is a group of people who do the right thing in the right way. The final disposition of the case is important, but the fairness of the process and procedure is equally important. During the course of the case and the investigation, we will examine whether there were any problems in the procedure or process, and if there were any problems, we will take considerable measures to investigate the truth and prevent such problems from recurring.
[기자]
There are voices inside and outside the prosecution that the Investigation Committee should be abolished. I heard you received an email. What is your position on this?
[이원석 / 검찰총장]
I used all the systems that the prosecution had already prepared. I did not get involved in the composition, operation, progress, decisions, or public announcements of the investigation review committee. Even now, I do not know who was selected for the investigation review committee, who conducted the investigation review committee, or who participated in it, and I said I would not receive any reports. We only supported the investigation review committee’s decision and resolution on who to call and question, and what materials to request.
That is in accordance with the regulations. And it is also fair. If, after going through all the processes and procedures, you say that you should eliminate all the processes and procedures because they do not fit your conclusions and intentions, and you ignore them, then the rule of law or the procedures and procedures we have established in advance for the investigation and the disposal of cases will become meaningless.
You may think that it is a little lacking, but if it is something that happened in the opposing camp or political party, I think we should think again about how we would react and tie it up so that there is no more room for controversy in our society.
I would like to once again say that I will respect the conclusion of the Supreme Court, and I personally believe that we should take this opportunity to faithfully organize legislation to accurately supplement the laws and correct any shortcomings regarding spouses of public officials so that there will be no more social controversy.
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What are the implications of the Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee’s decision not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee on public trust in the justice system?
Table of Contents
- 1 What are the implications of the Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee’s decision not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee on public trust in the justice system?
- 2 What were the reasons cited by the Investigation Review Committee for recommending not to prosecute Kim Gun-hee in the luxury bag bribery case?
Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee Recommends Not to Prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee for Accepting Luxury Bag
The Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee has recommended not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee, the wife of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yue, for accepting a luxury bag [[3]][[1]]. This decision has sparked criticisms that the prosecution is granting an indulgence and that the Supreme Court’s conclusion does not match the public’s sense of justice.
In response to these criticisms, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated that he respects the decision of the investigation review committee and that he will handle the case by respecting the opinions of the civilian experts outside the investigation review committee [[1]]. He emphasized that unwise actions, inappropriate actions, and undesirable actions do not immediately lead to criminal punishment or recognition of criminal charges under the law, and that these two issues are on different levels.
The investigation review committee is an independent committee comprised of external civilian experts, and Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok guaranteed its independence by ensuring that it makes independent decisions without any involvement in the composition, operation, decision, or public announcement of the committee.
The investigation into the luxury bag scandal has been ongoing for four months, and Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok ordered a quick investigation. When asked about the overall process and conclusion, he stated that he is not in a position to evaluate the investigation and handling of the case, but rather to receive evaluation from the public and those who represent public opinion.
Meanwhile, there are still suspicions about stock price manipulation by Deutsch Motors, and President Yoon Seok-yue’s term is ending soon. When asked about his decision or active stance during his term, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated that the Deutsche Motors case is scheduled to have its final appeals trial this week, and that he will process it based solely on evidence and legal principles without any other considerations.
The controversy surrounding the Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s post-report during the investigation of Ms. Kim is also ongoing, and Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok has instructed that the investigation be investigated to the extent that it does not interfere with the investigation. He emphasized that the prosecution is a group of people who do the right thing in the right way, and that the fairness of the process and procedure is equally important.
There are also voices inside and outside the prosecution that the Investigation Committee should be abolished. In response, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated that he used all the systems that the prosecution had already prepared and did not get involved in the composition, operation, progress, decisions, or public announcements of the investigation review committee.
the prosecution’s investigation into the luxury bag scandal has been ongoing for four months, and the investigation review committee has recommended not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee. While there are criticisms about the decision, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok has emphasized the importance of respecting the opinions of external experts and the fairness of the process and procedure.
References:
<a href="https://news.vocofm.com/en/
What were the reasons cited by the Investigation Review Committee for recommending not to prosecute Kim Gun-hee in the luxury bag bribery case?
Kim Gun-hee Luxury Bag Bribery Case: Investigation Review Committee Recommends Not to Prosecute
On the 6th, the Prosecution Service’s Investigation Review Committee decided not to indict Ms. Kim Gun-hee for accepting luxury bags [[1]]. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the fairness of the investigation process.
Investigation Review Committee’s Decision
The Investigation Review Committee, an independent committee comprised of external civilian experts, made the decision not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee after deliberating on the case. This decision has been met with criticism from the public, who feel that it does not match their sense of justice.
Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok’s Stance
Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok, who referred the case to the Investigation Committee by his own authority, has guaranteed the independence of the committee and has stated that he will respect the decision of the committee[[[2]]. He believes that unwise actions, inappropriate actions, and undesirable actions do not immediately lead to criminal punishment or recognition of criminal charges under the law, and that these two issues are on different levels.
Criticism and Concerns
There are criticisms that the Supreme Court’s conclusion does not match the public’s sense of justice or that it is granting an indulgence. Many are concerned that the investigation process was not thorough enough and that the decision not to prosecute Ms. Kim Gun-hee may be seen as unfair.
Previous Investigation
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea had concluded the Kim Gun-hee luxury bag bribery case previously[[[2]]. However, the results of the prosecution’s disposition on Kim Gun-hee’s alleged receipt of luxury bags are expected to be decided next week [[3]].
Deutsche Motors Case
In a related development, the Deutsche Motors case, which involves suspicions of stock price manipulation, is scheduled to have its final appeals trial this week[[[2]]. Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok has stated that he will carefully examine the appellate court’s decision and review it thoroughly to ensure a fair conclusion to the case.
Investigation Committee Abolition
There are voices inside and outside the prosecution that the Investigation Committee should be abolished. However, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok has stated that he will respect the opinions of external experts and ensure that the investigation process is fair and thorough.
the Kim Gun-hee luxury bag bribery case has raised concerns about the fairness of the investigation process and the decision-making process of the Investigation Review Committee. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the prosecution will handle the case and address the concerns of the public.
